The Colusa Planning Commission is on its last stretch to finalize a cannabis ordinance that could pave the way for the retail sale of marijuana within the city limits.
Commissioners, at a continued public hearing on Jan. 12, said they plan to include language that would allow storefronts to operate from 8 AM to 8 PM, but only on specific property zoned light industrial.
Once completed, the new ordinance would require final approval by a majority of the Planning Commission, possibly at their next meeting on Jan. 26, so that it could move to the Colusa City Council for adoption by February or early March, city officials said.
As written, the proposed ordinance would prohibit retail stores anywhere in the commercial districts, such as the downtown and shopping centers, but commissioners, who previously opposed dispensaries, are now less reluctant to prohibit the sale of marijuana at Colusa Industrial Properties, which has recently been annexed within the city.
Other cannabis businesses, such as cultivation, manufacturing, and delivery services would be allowed in light industrial, general industrial, and limited manufacturing districts.
“I don’t want it anywhere where kids can ride their bikes by dispensaries,” said Commissioner Dick Armocido. “I don’t even like the idea of having it because it’s sending the wrong message to our youth…It’s sickening that we have to lower our standards in order to generate revenue in order to run our city.”
Marijuna retail stores, like other cannabis businesses operating in Colusa, would still require the approval of a developer agreement and regulatory permit by the City Council, in addition to having all the proper permits issued by the State of California, which controls the industry standards, officials said.
What might be seen as a change of heart by city officials toward legal marijuana came just days after Gov. Gavin Newsom said he plans to work with the Legislature to change the tax structure in order to save the cannabis industry from the black market, which has thrived, in part, because of the reluctance of cities and counties to approve retail sales outlets to move legal products.
“It is my goal to look at tax policy to stabilize the market,” Newsom said, in a press conference on Jan. 10. “And at the same time, it is also my goal to get these municipalities to wake up to the opportunities to get rid of the illegal market, the illicit market, and provide support in a regulatory framework for the legal market.”
City officials said they would continue to use their profit-sharing development agreements with cannabis companies, as stated in the ordinance, until such a time that a ballot measure might be approved by voters that would set a local tax rate on total gross receipts of legal marijuana, although such a measure has not been proposed at this time.
The current development agreement between the cannabis companies and the City of Colusa is for 3 percent of the gross profits, officials said.
Community Development Manager Bryan Stice said all cannabis companies will be required to have development agreements, a site-specific special use permit, and a regulatory permit in place before they can operate.
The Planning Commission is expected to finalize the new cannabis ordinance at their next meeting, after they take up a discussion on sign restrictions.
Unlike cannabis manufacturing companies, which allow no signage at all, retail marijuana shops would be allowed to have on-site advertisement.
“If we want sales to happen, then we want signage,” Stice said. “If we want a dispensary to be successful because they are selling, then we’re supporting signage provisions for them. That is the distinction being made between production – the industrial – versus retail.”
City officials said they may require retail shops to get a special use permit for marijuana retail signage, so the city can control size and aesthetics.
Commissioners said they would specifically prohibit neon/LED and flashing signs. ■