ACTION:
Clerk/Secretary
Department: Community Development Item No: PH2
Prepared by: Joe Vacca, Director Meeting Date: September 22, 2026 Approved by: John Conley, City Manager Agenda Location: Public Hearing SUBJECT:
AMENDMENTS TO MUNICIPAL CODE AND DEVELOPMENT CODE REGARDING CANNABIS DISTRIBUTORS (TYPE 11)
RECOMMENDATION:
1. Open, conduct, and close a public hearing to receive testimony regarding amendments to Vista Municipal Code Chapter 5.98 , Licensing of Cannabis Testing, Distribution, a nd Manufacturing Facilities, and Vista Development Code Chapters 18.35, 18.38, 18.44 and 18.46, Regarding Cannabis Distributors (Type 11).
2. Adopt Ordinance No. 2026- , approving amendments t o Vista Municipal Code Chapter 5.98, Licensing of Cannabis Testing, Distribution, and Manufacturing Facilities, and Vista Development Code Chapters 18.35, 18.38, 18.44 and 18.46, Regarding Cannabis Distributors (Type 11).
CORRELATION TO CITY COUNCIL GOALS: Economic Development PRIOR ACTION: On April 28, 2026, directed staff to draft an ordinance to expand the availability of distribution licenses (Vote: No vote taken).
PRIOR PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION: On August 18, 2026, considered the proposed amendments to Vista Municipal Code Chapter 5.98, Licensing of Cannabis Testing, Distribution, and Manufacturing Facilities, and Vista Development Code Chapters 18.35, 18.38, 18.44 and 18.46, regarding Cannabis Distributors (Type 11); and adopted a motion to recommend the amendments to the City Council, with the added requirement that any cannabis distributor (Type 11) in the M -U Mixed Use Zone must be outside a 600 foot radius surrounding any residential uses ( Vote 4-2, Commissioners Redding and Grimm opposed; Commissioner Martin absent).
STATEMENT ON THE SUBJECT: The proposed amendments have been prepared at the direction of the City Council to regulate and allow Cannabis Distribut ors (Type 11) in additional zones (M -U Mixed Use Zone, C-1 Commercial Zone, C-2 Commercial Zone, C-3 Commercial Zone, M-1 Light Manufacturing Zone and IP Industrial Park Zone) with a set number of additional available licenses to be determined by the City Council. A Cannabis Distributor (Type 11) is a facility or entity that procures, sells, and transports cannabis products between persons or entities holding licenses issued by the Bureau of Cannabis Control and which, prior to lawful operation, obtain a “Type 11” state license as identified in Business and Professions Code Section 26050. The proposed amendments would allow retailers to prepare and distribute non-infused pre-rolls (cannabis cigarettes rolled in paper) from bulk cannabis and sell under their own label as a licensed distributor.
AGENDA
REPORT
CITY COUNCIL
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
SUCCESSOR AGENCY
BUENA SANITATION DISTRICT
JOINT POWERS FINANCING AUTHORITY
Opened, conducted, and closed a public hearing. Introduced and adopted Ordinance No. 2026-08.
Vote: 5-0