Commercial marijuana businesses get a green light in Carson

Commercial marijuana businesses get a green light in Carson

Commercial marijuana businesses get a green light in CarsonCommercial marijuana businesses get a green light in Carson

Carson opened its doors to commercial marijuana growing, testing and manufacturing during a special meeting Thursday.

The City Council also approved licensing door-to-door delivery operations and added restrictions on personal-use cultivation allowed by the state beginning Jan. 1, requiring random home inspections.

Council members stopped short of approving marijuana dispensaries, but agreed to allow four locations in the city for indoor commercial operations including growing and manufacturing of oils, waxes and edibles.

The ordinance was approved in a 3-1 vote, with Councilman Cedric Hicks opposing. Councilwoman Lula Davis-Holmes left the meeting early. Final adoption is scheduled for the council’s next regularly scheduled meeting on Nov. 21.

Councilman Jawane Hilton attributed his support for the ordinance to a resident-initiated ballot measure in Long Beach that forced a reversal of a City Council ban and allowed dozens of dispensaries to move in.

“Long Beach has 36 dispensaries, cultivation and manufacturing because no one could come up with a consensus. I know that all of you may be shocked and saddened, but regulation is the most important thing to do. If you don’t regulate this market, the market will be saturated.”

Council members agreed to allow commercial businesses in four locations that are at least 750 feet away from “sensitive uses,” including schools, hotels and parks. The city will choose which ones are allowed based on their permit applications — but dispensaries and outdoor growing operations will not be permitted.

They will also be subject to city inspections, and must limit odors and clean up litter around their operations.

“We want to encourage quality people to apply,” said Hilton, who initially supported medical marijuana dispensaries but later changed his mind. “I believe that if we regulate cannabis, it’s better than banning it. I think flat-out bans bring more trouble to the city than they’re worth.”

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