Salinas City Council looks at commercial cannabis resolution

UPDATED 8/15/17 11:00 p.m. A step forward for commercial cannabis in Salinas. Tuesday the city council passed a new resolution on how the city of Salinas issues commercial cannabis permits.

Part of that resolution includes an increase to the number of cultivation, manufacturing and dispensary locations.

The city council voted unanimously to update the city code that regulates commercial marijuana businesses.

There are several changes, those in the cannabis industry are happy about.

“[I’m] very excited, I think there’s more opportunities and more tax revenue for the city as well,” said Mike Bitar, a co-founder with Grupo Flor, a cannabis organization.

The changes will update the number of cultivation, manufacturing and dispensary locations from three to five.

The council also talked about how the city will tax the businesses once a state tax law goes into effect.

Mayor Joe Gunter was quick to point out that the city of Salinas is not advocating for illegal drug dealing.

“What we’re advocating is that medical marijuana be dispensed in this city that it be dispensed legally and in a fashion that’s orderly,” Gunter said.

Another part of the ordinance was clarifying mobile dispensaries. An issue Joel Garcia spoke about at the meeting.

“My parents work in the fields so it’s hard for them to come back home,” Garcia said, “When I go to the dispensary it’s late already so they’re closed.”

Making mobile dispensaries a necessity for Garcia.

“It’s faster for me, Garcia said, “I don’t have to wait for my parents to get here.”

Attorney Aaron Johnson urged the city council to take people like Garcia into consideration.

“There’s a business aspect to it and a lot of people are getting excited about that,” Johnson said. “We do have to take a step back every now and then and realize that this is true medicine and we need to supply it to those who need it.”

Tuesday, the mayor added that if there is a need to increase the maximum number of distribution permits, the council may also consider that.

PREVIOUS STORY: The Salinas City Council is looking at a resolution on how the city will issue commercial cannabis permits.

Part of the resolution includes increasing the number of cultivation, manufacturing and dispensary locations from three to five. It also calls for only allowing a maximum of five distribution permits.

City leaders will also be discussing how the city would tax marijuana businesses after the passing of Measure L.

KION’s Zach Fuentes has the story at 10&11.