GENERAL
Title: Marijuana legalization likely to favor large companies
Author: The Pioneer
Date: 9 November 2017
Extract: In 2018, the legalization of marijuana in California will be in full effect. Industry analysts believe that the new laws are likely to favor larger companies who are already permitted and have licensed grows with their own dispensaries over small time growers, many of whom have been actively growing marijuana product for years. “The less competition the better the profit margins,” said Arnold Cunningham, part owner of Collective Efforts, one of the leading Cannabis companies in California. “We don’t need any more vendors showing up with untested product to our medical dispensary. We have plenty of our own product to worry about.
OAKLAND
Title: Oakland’s City Council voted unanimously last night to authorize local sales and consumption of marijuana within the city of Oakland.
“Oakland now will be one of the few cities in California that will be up and running with permits by January 1st,” said Councilmember At-large Rebecca Kaplan. “I’m very very proud of that.”
Though Kaplan drafted the ordinance, Councilmember Desley Brooks introduced a last-minute change, amending the proposal from “the administration may issue local permits” to “the administration shall issue local permits,” removing any ambiguity on the council’s position and clearing the way for cannabis entrepreneurs.
At the same meeting, Kaplan also proposed amendments to streamline the process, allowing existing medical cannabis dispensaries to expand to adult-use sales, and to remove the hurdle of cross-department licensing delays that can deter prospective businesses from opening.
Author: Hoodline.com
Date: 8 November 2017
URL: http://hoodline.com/2017/11/city-council-votes-to-authorize-cannabis-sales-consumption
Extract: Oakland City Council voted unanimously last night to authorize local sales and consumption of marijuana within the city of Oakland.
“Oakland now will be one of the few cities in California that will be up and running with permits by January 1st,” said Councilmember At-large Rebecca Kaplan. “I’m very very proud of that.”
Though Kaplan drafted the ordinance, Councilmember Desley Brooks introduced a last-minute change, amending the proposal from “the administration may issue local permits” to “the administration shall issue local permits,” removing any ambiguity on the council’s position and clearing the way for cannabis entrepreneurs.
At the same meeting, Kaplan also proposed amendments to streamline the process, allowing existing medical cannabis dispensaries to expand to adult-use sales, and to remove the hurdle of cross-department licensing delays that can deter prospective businesses from opening.
OXNARD
Title: Oxnard mulls system to regulate medical pot deliveries
Author: VC Star
Date: 8 November 2017
Extract: The Oxnard City Council discussed a regulatory system for medical marijuana deliveries on Tuesday, and most members agreed it should be in place. Councilman Bryan MacDonald, however, wondered how the city would be able to enforce any regulations on deliveries. Under the proposal, deliveries of medicinal pot from a licensed facility to a patient or a caregiver would be allowed. The delivery driver would be subject to a background check and would be limited to the hours of 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.
SAN FRANCISCO
Title: SF supes grapple with cannabis regulations
Author: Bay Area Reporter
Date: 9 November 2017
URL: http://www.ebar.com/news/article.php?sec=news&article=73093
Extract: A dozen current and former elected officials joined the chorus of cannabis activists and business owners urging the San Francisco Board of Supervisors to pass reasonable regulations that allow for adult recreational use of cannabis to begin January 1.
Officials held a November 8 news conference in front of City Hall. That followed two days of back-to-back committee hearings where supervisors are crafting legislation to create a regulatory framework for businesses to cultivate, manufacture, deliver, and sell cannabis when it becomes legal next year.
Title: San Francisco Officials Call For Less Restrictive Cannabis Regulations – CBS San Francisco Bay Area
Author: Zennie62 Blog
Date: 8 November 2017
Extract:
SANTA ROSA
Title: Santa Rosa Planning Commission takes up regulation of recreational marijuana industry
Author: The Press Democrat
Date: 8 November 2017
URL: http://www.pressdemocrat.com/news/7615405-181/santa-rosa-planning-commission-takes
Extract: Santa Rosa’s rules for cannabis businesses have been some of the most inviting to indoor cultivators, manufacturers and other types of businesses in the county, but they don’t yet include any provisions for companies involved in for the non-medical marketplace.
That could change.
Thursday, Santa Rosa’s planning commission is set to debate whether to ask city staff to add provisions for those businesses.
“That’s on the table for discussion,” said Clare Hartman, the city’s deputy director of planning.
In Sonoma County, only Cloverdale and Sebastopol officials have so far taken steps to allow recreational cannabis operations. The Cloverdale City Council voted in September to allow manufacturers, cultivators and other non-storefront businesses in the city’s small industrial zones and to allow two dispensaries.