During its regularly scheduled meeting last Wednesday evening, members of the Adelanto City Council discussed updating its medical cannabis ordinance to comply with new state laws. In a 4–1 vote, with Councilman Ed Camargo voting against the proposal, the council agreed to have its new attorney, Curtis Wright, draft an update that will bring the city into compliance.
If enacted as suggested at the council meeting, the new ordinance will allow for permitting fees for growing, manufacturing, transporting from business to business, distributing, and testing of medical cannabis. It will help move along the current applications, which are on hold at the conditional use permit stage.
The council is also looking at an excise tax on the product, which must be approved by the voters first, and increasing business licensing fees so that fees are income-based rather than the current $100 flat fee. The city is considering all revenue streams that do not impact residents.
Mayor Richard Kerr broached the subject of allowing medical cannabis dispensaries within city limits. He said he would reconsider the previous ban but wanted to limit the number to two or three. Mayor pro tem Jermaine Wright Sr., Councilman John Woodard Jr., and Councilman Charley Glasper agreed.
Kerr’s reasoning for the change is that other local municipalities could “reap the benefits” of Adelanto’s cultivation ordinance if Adelanto does not allow the dispensaries. Medical cannabis dispensaries would provide point-of-sale revenue, something the city needs desperately.
The city is considering all revenue streams that do not impact residents.
The council is hopeful that the issues with the current ordinance will be resolved at its May 11, 2016 meeting. If the second reading can be approved at that meeting, the ordinance will go into effect June 11, 2016. At that point the city can continue with the conditional use permit process and the cultivation facilities will be one step closer to fruition.
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