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Long-Awaited Approval

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[dropcap class=”kp-dropcap”]O[/dropcap]n June 13, planning commissioners voted in favor of allowing a large cannabis production facility in Kearny Mesa. There were dozens of supporters as well as those opposing the decision at the meeting. This decision came as a relief to the owners of THinC Distribution after a tie vote the previous week deadlocked the progress. Four commissioners approved the Conditional Use Permit, while two voted in opposition.

The building is located on Ruffner Road, and it’s two stories tall and with 21,210 square feet. The site will be used to manufacture and distribute cannabis products. THinC Distribution CEO Doug McCrady gave CULTURE the exclusive on his company’s reaction to the recent decision. “THinC Distribution is excited and proud to be part of a growing and vibrant industry,” McCrady stated.

THinC Distribution has been awaiting this final approval for over a year. “We have been licensed to operate the manufacturing and distribution facility since February 2018,” McCrady said. “Since that time we have been granted all our state licenses from the Department of Public Health and Bureau of Cannabis Control. The City’s Conditional Use Permit was our last hurdle.”

Based in San Diego, THinC Distribution is a licensed cannabis manufacturing and distribution company with brands Rollers Delight, Holy Smokes, Tru Cali, GreenBox and Empire Cannabis Co. Like many other neighborhoods in San Diego, the community of Kearny Mesa will see great benefits from licensing additional cannabis operations. “Kearny Mesa has always been the epicenter of innovation and collaboration,” McCrady said. “This veteran owned and operated facility will offer employment for many San Diegans, as well as participate in community fundraisers and events.”

“This veteran owned and operated facility will offer employment for many San Diegans, as well as participate in community fundraisers and events.”

 

The process of being licensed by the city was not without hurdles. The company’s environmental, fiscal and code enforcement impacts were considered in the approval process, among other considerations. The project was determined to be categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act last September. Through it all, McCrady explained that the biggest hurdle was the facility’s neighbor. “His family recently purchased the building next to us, over a year after we had been operating in the location. He was hoping to rezone the property and build housing, unaware that a Marijuana Production Facility was operating directly next to him. Once he realized we were there, he appealed our project to the City and attempted to take us back to the community planning group citing ‘new information’ as the reason,” McCrady said.

San Diego’s strict zoning laws and special use restrictions on cannabis production facilities have caused most of these businesses to find locations in neighborhoods like Kearny Mesa. Allowing such businesses will not only create jobs in San Diego, but it will create a legal supply chain that will displace the black market while gaining millions of dollars in tax revenue for the city.

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