The San Diego City Council unanimously voted Tuesday in favor of a temporary ban on recreational marijuana businesses.
The temporary prohibition will allow city officials time to come up with policies regulating recreational marijuana in the city of San Diego.
In November, California voters approved state Proposition 64.
Under the law, Californians over 21 years of age can now use marijuana privately, and can have up to 28.5 grams of marijuana and up to 8 grams of concentrated marijuana, such as hash, in their possession, according to the Official Voter Information Guide for the proposition.
People who do not have a medical marijuana card may not be able to legally purchase weed from dispensaries until another part of Proposition 64 goes into effect on Jan. 1, 2018.
The state has until that date to set up a system for dispensaries to apply for licenses, which will allow them to legally sell marijuana for recreational use.
San Diego’s Planning Commission will meet Thursday to review proposed changes to zoning and land use regulations in anticipation of the new industry.
Local
Under the proposal, there would be four so-called Marijuana Outlets per district within the City of San Diego. That would set the limit for the outlets at 36 within city limits.
But a local attorney who represents commercial cannabis businesses said several districts do not meet zoning restrictions so the number of outlets would actually be less than 36.
"Whether 24 medical marijuana dispensaries and outlets for recreational marijuana are sufficient, for the entire city of San Diego, I think will remain to be seen," said attorney Lance Rogers.
Businesses would need to apply for five-year permits to operate the outlets and must set up a security system and guard.
The businesses would operate seven days a week under the proposal but hours would be limited to 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.
"I think there's a requirement for an armed security guard to be there almost 24-7, and this is extremely expensive and might not be necessary," Rogers said.
Scott Chipman leads San Diegans for Safe Neighborhoods, a group opposing the commercialization of Marijuana.
Chipman claims that there have been 600 complaints against pot dispensaries over the last three years but many of them were ignored.
"We've got more kids thinking marijuana is okay because the adults are okay with it," Chipman said. "So this is really a disaster for public health and safety."
As part of the proposed zoning rules, the city would prohibit growing marijuana unless in a secured outdoor greenhouse.
Read a fact sheet released by city officials here.
The City Council will meet in the future to vote on final approval.
It is still illegal to smoke weed while driving a car, in a public place, or in any location where smoking tobacco is not allowed.
