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Hollister Makes Headway

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Hollister could soon be the home to groundbreaking new cannabis-based medicines—but the city’s progress hasn’t happened without its share of unexpected hurdles, twists and turns. A new business will emerge, with plans of producing an innovative cannabis-based transdermal patch.

The Hollister City Council voted 3-1 on Dec. 18, 2017, in favor of allowing a business to obtain a medical cannabis use permit as well as a development agreement for a proposed manufacturing facility. The city council voted in favor of Resolution No. 2017-331, which approved a regulatory permit for a single medical cannabis manufacturing facility at 807 Industrial Drive in Hollister. The location was highly disputed, as other cannabis companies were denied permits for the same area.

The company, Euphoric Life Inc., will run a cultivation and manufacturing facility capable of making cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) patches and products. The alternative delivery system uses a unique nanotechnology system to deliver CBD and THC more effectively into the bloodstream. Euphoric Life Inc. is also a member of the San Benito County Chamber of Commerce and is listed at its new location on Industrial Drive.

The applicant, Dr. Ahmad R. Rafii, is a board-certified chiropractor. Rafii explained how the road to licensure hasn’t been easy. “Unfortunately in San Benito County, contrary to what they claim, there are more rumors and negative contention,” Rafii told CULTURE. Rafii also explained that local news outlets focused on negative and often incorrect facts surrounding his venture. Councilmember Karson Klauer was forced to recuse himself from the city council vote, because of an alleged conflict-of-interest for the location at 807 Industrial Drive and a series of hurdles unfolded. Rafii penned his own article in the Gilroy Dispatch on Dec. 15 to dispel untrue rumors surrounding his intentions to manufacture a cannabis product in Hollister. But in the end, Euphoric Life Inc. received the final approval.

“Unfortunately in San Benito County, contrary to what they claim, there are more rumors and negative contention.”

Recently Rafii created a cannabis-delivering transdermal patch designed to help replace opioids. After 25 years in the chiropractic practice, he understands pain.

There will be 4,800 feet devoted to cultivation, while 1,740 square feet will be devoted to manufacturing. Other spaces will be used for a drying room, a trim area, a water and nutrient room, product vault and office space. As a manufacturing business, Euphoric Life Inc. shouldn’t be a burden to local neighbors worried about negative effects of medical cannabis businesses.

Also on Dec. 18, 2017, the city council unanimously passed an ordinance that prohibits the cultivation, processing or sale of recreational cannabis for at least 45 days, until a permanent decision on recreational cannabis can be made. The moratorium was enacted just before recreational sales began in California on Jan. 1, a move that many other small towns and cities adopted. The city council adopted Urgency Ordinance No. 1143, adding Chapter 43 to Title 5 of the Hollister Municipal Code. This urgency ordinance was enacted, despite the fact that San Benito County voters approved Proposition 64 back in November 2016. Hollister is the largest city in San Benito County.

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