TITLE
Adopt resolution directing the Director of Development Services to submit a request to the California Coastal Commission to certify an amendment to the Certified Local Coastal Program. (Citywide)
DISCUSSION
On January 1, 2016, the Medical Cannabis Regulation and Safety Act (MCRSA) took effect, creating a statewide regulatory and licensing system for medical cannabis businesses in California. On November 8, 2016, Long Beach voters approved Measures MM and MA. Measure MM established Chapter 5.90 of the Long Beach Municipal Code (LBMC) and created a regulatory structure for medical cannabis businesses in Long Beach. Measure MA established business license tax rates for medicinal and adult-use (recreational) cannabis businesses in Long Beach.
Also on November 8, 2016, California voters approved Proposition 64, the Adult Use of Marijuana Act (AUMA). AUMA established a statewide regulatory and licensing system for adult-use cannabis businesses. On June 27, 2017, Governor Jerry Brown signed into law the Medicinal and Adult-Use Cannabis Regulation and Safety Act (MAUCRSA), which merged state regulations for medicinal and adult-use commercial cannabis activity into a single regulatory framework.
Under MAUCRSA, local governments have the ability to regulate and/or prohibit commercial cannabis activity within their jurisdictions. The City of Long Beach (City) is currently licensing and regulating medical cannabis businesses but has not approved adult-use cannabis businesses to operate locally. On November 14, 2017, the City Council requested the City Manager’s Office to work with City departments to develop recommendations to regulate commercial adult-use cannabis businesses in Long Beach. As part of this request, the City Council directed staff to include social equity policies within the proposed Adult-Use Cannabis Ordinance (Ordinance), making specific reference to other cities that had recently approved cannabis social equity programs. To provide adequat...
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