Report Prepared by: Kim Espinosa, Planning Manager, Development Services Department
Title
SUBJECT: Adoption of Merit-Based Selection Criteria for Commercial Cannabis Business Permits (Limited Number of Permits Available)
REPORT IN BRIEF
The City Council is being asked to adopt, by resolution, the Merit-Based Selection Criteria for Commercial Cannabis Business Permits for which there are a limited number of permits available. Dispensaries/retail sales are limited to four in the recently adopted Ordinance.
RECOMMENDATION
City Council - Adopt a motion adopting Resolution 2018-01, a Resolution of the City Council of the City of Merced, California, approving Merit-Based Selection Criteria for Scoring Commercial Cannabis Business Permit Applications for which there are a limited number of permits available.
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ALTERNATIVES
1. Approve the resolution as recommended by City staff; or,
2. Approve a modified resolution as revised by the City Council; or,
3. Deny the request; or,
4. Refer back to staff for reconsideration of specific items (specific items to be addressed in City Council motion); or,
5. Continue to a future City Council meeting (date and time to be specified in City Council motion).
AUTHORITY
Section 20.44.170(L)(c) of recently adopted Ordinance No. 2480 calls for the establishment of a merit-based scoring system to objectively award commercial cannabis business permits for which there are a limited number of permits available.
CITY COUNCIL PRIORITIES
On March 29, 2017, the City Council held a study session on priorities and medical marijuana regulations were listed under "City Administration-Current Projects."
DISCUSSION
Background
On November 20, 2017, the City Council introduced Ordinance No. 2480 which established regulations for Commercial Cannabis Businesses and the cultivation of cannabis for personal use in the City of Merced. The Ordinance was adopted on December 4, 2017, and went into effect 30 days later on January 3, 2018. ...
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