Concord creates survey on commercial cannabis
Time is running out to participate in a Concord survey on cannabis businesses within the city.
On June 20, the city issued a 10-question survey on potential regulations for commercial cannabis retail (storefront and non-storefront) and microbusinesses (small-scale cultivation, distribution, manufacturing and/or retail).
The Cannabis Survey is available on the Concord Community Town Hall platform through July 19. To participate and voice your opinion, please visit opentownhall.com/p/283.
In 2016, California voters approved Prop. 64, which made adult-use (recreational) cannabis legal. As a result, the state began developing regulations related to both medicinal and adult-use cannabis. The state began issuing cannabis licenses on Jan. 2, 2018.
The Control, Regulate and Tax Adult Use of Marijuana Act (AUMA) created a state regulatory and licensing system governing the commercial cultivation, testing, manufacturing and distribution of adult-use cannabis. The AUMA permits local jurisdictions to regulate and/or ban adult-use cannabis related to the following: cultivation, distribution, manufacturing, microbusinesses, retail stores (both storefront and non-storefront), testing laboratories and transportation.
On Nov. 14, 2017, the Concord City Council adopted a ban on cannabis-related activities (except those noted below) within city limits to allow the community to express their desires further, and to allow staff and council to formulate regulations.
Concord allows only the following uses:
Delivery of medicinal and adult-use cannabis from licensed cannabis retail businesses located outside of Concord. (No city cannabis license required, but city business license required.)
Indoor cultivation of up to six cannabis plants per dwelling unit for personal use. (Medicinal and adult use; no city cannabis license required.)
Medicinal and adult-use cannabis testing facilities.
Medicinal cannabis distributors. (Two licenses granted; no further licenses currently available.)
Medicinal cannabis manufacturers. (Two licenses granted; no further licenses currently available.)
In August 2017, the city contracted with Godbe Research to conduct a statistically valid survey related to various marijuana uses to better understand the community’s support or opposition to the types of uses and where they may be permitted. The survey results were presented to the public and the council on Oct. 24, 2017, and can be viewed at cityofconcord.org/DocumentCenter/View/1157.
It is anticipated that the Planning Commission and City Council will consider and adopt regulations on cannabis-related uses and activities this fall.
Jason Laub is Chief Operating Officer at RAD Urban and is a City of Concord Planning Commissioner. Email questions or comments to jlaub.concordplanning@gmail.com