Is this agreement enough to finally allow marijuana dispensaries in Fresno?
A couple of Fresno councilmembers said Friday they’ve come to an agreement with Mayor Lee Brand’s administration clearing the way for cannabis dispensaries in the largest city in California to not allow adult use weed shops.
Councilmembers Esmeralda Soria and Miguel Arias issued a news release saying the latest version of the adult use cannabis ordinance had new, clarifying language. The newest version would allow marijuana licenses to change hands during an annual renewal process and owners would be required to keep surveillance footage for 90 days, rather than seven.
“The revised ordinance clears the path for our city to regulate and tax the cannabis industry that our voters approved in 2016 and 2018,” the co-authored news release says. “The millions in anticipated revenue will allow our city to provide much needed public safety and general services to our residents.”
Brand vetoed the previous version of the ordinance in late December, citing the requirement to keep camera footage less than 90 days, among other issues.
Brand couldn’t immediately be reached for comment Friday.
State voters approved Proposition 64 in 2016, allowing adults to use cannabis.
The Fresno City Council originally adopted an ordinance a year ago allowing medical marijuana in 2019 and recreational adult use in 2020 with the supermajority support of the council. New regulations adopted this year were more controversial, narrowly gaining approval.
Police Chief Andy Hall took part in the negotiations of the latest version of the ordinance.
“I appreciate the opportunity to work collaboratively with Councilmembers Esmeralda Soria and Miguel Arias to improve the security and safety of these operation,” Hall said in a statement.
The city is engaged in the mandatory environmental review process for dispensaries and is likely six months from having any open for business, officials have said. City staffers have estimated about $500,000 in tax revenue from cannabis this year, with revenue estimated to grow to $5 million by 2024.
The fifth-largest city in the state at more than a half-million people, Fresno has lagged behind a number of cities in California that have approved dispensaries. People who live in Fresno are about as far away from a legally approved dispensary as any California resident can be.
The council is set to vote on the latest version of the ordinance at its next meeting on Jan. 16.
