Sensible Solution

On the afternoon of September 11, the San Diego City Council was presented with two options regarding the furthering of cannabis supply chain businesses that handle cultivation, manufacturing and testing within city limits. Option 1 would prohibit anything other than testing of cannabis products in labs located in industrial zones and commercial zones that prohibit residential use. Option 2 would allow for testing, cultivation, distribution and production of cannabis-related products in light and heavy industrial zones, so long as the business operator obtains a Conditional Use Permit. The cannabis community showed up in force, making it necessary to open two overflow rooms for the hearing.

“This is absolutely a very positive step forward. It’s not very often that city council goes beyond what staffers recommend. That was very positive.”

Before the public comment period began, Police Chief Shelley Zimmerman delivered stern words to the council, “Proposition 64 has also given [you] the responsibility to limit and/or ban the commercial marijuana industry in our city. Let me repeat. Proposition 64 has given you the authority to ban commercial marijuana in our city,” she said. Zimmerman continued by stating that no amount of tax revenue is worth the public safety risk that legalized cannabis poses, going so far as to falsely claim that cannabis legalization leads to increased homelessness. Her threatening disposition continued as she glared at citizens who came to the podium to speak in favor of Option 2.

During the lengthy hearing, the council listened to 119 citizens on the subject. There were 110 citizens in favor of the more lenient Option 2, while only nine showed up to speak in favor of the far more restrictive Option 1. After several hours of public comment and questions from council members, council ultimately voted 6-3 in favor of Option 2, and the council also eliminated a rule that would prohibit businesses from opening within 100 feet of one another or dispensaries.

The council also chose not to ban delivery services, but rather direct the issue to the Public Safety Committee for review at a later date. Additionally, the council eliminated a proposed cap of two cultivating, testing and manufacturing businesses per each council district, and instead chose to allow a citywide cap of 40 of those businesses. These decisions are a considerable victory for cannabis entrepreneurs, consumers and advocates. The three dissenting votes were cast by Lorie Zapf, Scott Sherman and Chris Cate, but Councilmember Chris Ward took a more common sense approach. “Would we tell Stone Brewery that we wanted them to manufacture everything in Riverside County and truck it down? Would we tell Ballast Point they can only grow their hops up in Humboldt?” he asked.

Terrie Best, of the San Diego chapter of Americans for Safe Access, was also in attendance at the meeting. Best shared her approval of this monumental decision by city council with CULTURE. “This is absolutely a very positive step forward. It’s not very often that city council goes beyond what staffers recommend. That was very positive,” Best said. “There were three ‘no’ votes, and of those Lorie Zapf’s was the most concerning. She has a very limited knowledge of cannabis. Her comments were, frankly, off the mark and tone deaf.” Best concluded her comment to CULTURE on a hopeful note, saying “For now, [delivery services] are all good. They’re not expressly permitted by the law, but they have a defense in court.” All in all, this was one of the more productive and positive council meetings the San Diego cannabis community has seen in quite some time.