For the first time since recreational cannabis legalization in 2016, the Redwood City in Peninsula could soon allow the establishment of up to six cannabis dispensaries.
Dispensary desert
The region, which has long been considered the veritable dispensary desert, could soon find an oasis in Redwood City. According to the latest cannabis news in the region, Redwood City residents are currently weighing in on allowing up to six cannabis retail stores to open up in specific parts of the city.
The decision was made during a Plan Commission meeting held on Tuesday. The meeting came nearly two weeks after the city council showed its support for expanding access to cannabis during a council study session. This proposal comes as a major milestone in the region, as no Peninsula has ever opened a dispensary.
While there have been several delivery services across the Peninsula, Redwood City could soon become the first spot to establish cannabis dispensaries (clubs). The council is now mulling a plan that would put retail cannabis in the same category as general retail. This would enable cannabis retailers to be established in Redwood City’s commercial zoning districts.
When that happens, cannabis retailers would have the green light to establish stores on El Camino Real or in California Square in the CBD. According to the council, the proposed six stores will “allow for sustainable business operations, avoid clustering, and avoid impacts on other retail businesses.”
Cannabis in traditional retail locations
To ensure that the process was transparent, the council asked city staff to process applications “through a merit-based process.” Following several surveys of the community, city staff concluded in a new report that feedback was very positive.
In one of the outreach meetings, the attendants unanimously supported the establishment of storefront cannabis in conventional retail locations. However, some residents also suggested that retail locations in the industrial zones like storefronts in San Jose, “are not conducive for retail shopping.” They argued that such stores are not convenient and “maybe poorly lit and may feel unsafe in the evening hours.”
In another online survey conducted between February 5 and March 12, sixty-one percent out of 1,238 responses supported retail cannabis. Only 38 percent opposed the move. The Redwood City Planning Commission is set to meet on September 15 at 7 PM to deliberate on the storefront’s established agenda.
This development comes at a time when the cannabis industry in the US is set to win big in light of the upcoming election. Five states are already in the line to vote on either recreational or medical cannabis legalization, this coming November. The states are Arizona, New Jersey, South Dakota, Montana, and Mississippi.
So far, 33 states have legalized cannabis, out of which 11 states have legalized the substance for adult use.
Dispensary desert
The region, which has long been considered the veritable dispensary desert, could soon find an oasis in Redwood City. According to the latest cannabis news in the region, Redwood City residents are currently weighing in on allowing up to six cannabis retail stores to open up in specific parts of the city.
The decision was made during a Plan Commission meeting held on Tuesday. The meeting came nearly two weeks after the city council showed its support for expanding access to cannabis during a council study session. This proposal comes as a major milestone in the region, as no Peninsula has ever opened a dispensary.
While there have been several delivery services across the Peninsula, Redwood City could soon become the first spot to establish cannabis clubs. The council is now mulling a plan that would put retail cannabis in the same category as general retail. This would enable cannabis retailers to be established in Redwood City’s commercial zoning districts.
When that happens, cannabis retailers would have the green light to establish stores on El Camino Real or in California Square in the CBD. According to the council, the proposed six stores will “allow for sustainable business operations, avoid clustering, and avoid impacts on other retail businesses.”
Cannabis in traditional retail locations
To ensure that the process was transparent, the council asked city staff to process applications “through a merit-based process.” Following several surveys of the community, city staff concluded in a new report that feedback was very positive.
In one of the outreach meetings, the attendants unanimously supported the establishment of storefront cannabis in conventional retail locations. However, some residents also suggested that retail locations in the industrial zones like storefronts in San Jose, “are not conducive for retail shopping.” They argued that such stores are not convenient and “maybe poorly lit and may feel unsafe in the evening hours.”
In another online survey conducted between February 5 and March 12, sixty-one percent out of 1,238 responses supported retail cannabis. Only 38 percent opposed the move. The Redwood City Planning Commission is set to meet on September 15 at 7 PM to deliberate on the storefront’s established agenda.
This development comes at a time when the cannabis industry in the US is set to win big in light of the upcoming election. Five states are already in the line to vote on either recreational or medical cannabis legalization, this coming November. The states are Arizona, New Jersey, South Dakota, Montana, and Mississippi.
So far, 33 states have legalized cannabis, out of which 11 states have legalized the substance for adult use.
