SANTA MONICA—The city of Santa Monica indicated in a press release Wednesday, January 3, detailing the current status of cannabis retail and light manufacturing businesses in the city.
As of January 1, 2018, cannabis is legal in the state of California. On October 10, 2017, the Santa Monica City Council approved a process to determine which two proposed medicinal cannabis retailers would receive business licenses to operate within city limits.
The council authorized an Interim Zoning Ordinance to ensure that Santa Monica’s laws regarding the sale of cannabis comply fully with the new state law. The ordinance currently prohibits commercial adult-use activities from taking place at these facilities, but the prohibition is considered temporary.
The request for applications for the two proposed medicinal retailers is open through February 28. An Evaluation Committee composed of city and non-city staff will be formed by the end of January.
Three proposed locations for the retailers are Wilshire Boulevard between Lincoln Boulevard and Centinela Avenue, Santa Monica Boulevard between Lincoln Boulevard and 20th Street, and Santa Monica Boulevard between 23rd Street and Centinela Avenue
In addition to retail space, Santa Monica approved light manufacturing of cannabis products (such as lotions) within Santa Monica’s Industrial Conservation and Office Campus zones.
“As the State has continued to build the regulatory environment for the legal cannabis industry in California, Santa Monica is on track with two medicinal cannabis retail businesses anticipated to open by the fall,” said Salvador Valles, Assistant Director of Planning & Community Development.
