The city of Monterey could move forward in the process to allow marijuana dispensaries to operate within city limits at a council meeting Tuesday evening.
According to their agenda, the city council will be deciding if they’ll approve a “Description for Cannabis Businesses.”
If approved, it would bring the city another step closer in the process of bringing at least three marijuana dispensaries to the city.
If the council approves the “Description for Cannabis Businesses,” the community development department can start an environmental review under the California Environmental Quality Act.
The process of bringing legal cannabis shops to Monterey has been prolonged.
On Dec. 21, 2021, the city council directed staff to develop regulations allowing no more than three cannabis retail permits, one each in Downtown, Lighthouse, and Cannery Row.
On Nov. 8, 2022, Measure J, the City’s Cannabis Business License Tax, passed, with more than 65% of the voters voting in the election approving the measure.
Those in support of bringing cannabis to Monterey point to the tax revenue it could bring.
The city estimates the Cannabis Business License Tax may raise from about $604,000 to about $1.3 million per year if the city council allows cannabis.
But, a city report published in February showed people have voiced concerns about marijuana businesses opening, including issues such as noise, odor, loitering, and impacts on youth and public safety.
Some of these concerns have been addressed. For example, in the Draft Project Description it states no cannabis business may be located within 600 feet of a school, day care center, or youth center.
The city council meeting, which includes this item, is being held the evening of Tuesday, May 2, at the council chamber at 580 Pacific St., Monterey, California.
The meeting gets underway at 4:00 p.m. (Full Story)