California Cannabis Market Opportunities - December 2020

Currently Open

Nevada City

• Status: The next application deadline is December 30, 2020. 
• Population: 3,142
• Available License Types:
• Manufacturing
• Distribution
• Nursery
• Testing laboratories 
• Links:
• Nevada City Cannabis Businesses Website

City of Oxnard

• Status: The city has decided to restart its retail cannabis program. Applications are currently being accepted until 6:00 pm on January 7, 2021. 
• Population: 209,877
• Available License Types: 
• Storefront Retail (Up to 16)
• Links: 
• City of Oxnard Retail Cannabis Application
  

New Markets

Banning

• Status:
• Measure L was approved by voters establishing a cannabis distribution tax of up to 10% of gross receipts.
• The city adopted an ordinance in July 2020 allowing cannabis distribution businesses. The ordinance will go into effect once the election results are certified.
• Population: 31,253
• Businesses to be allowed: 
• Distribution

Encinitas

• Status: Measure H passed, setting the zoning for cannabis businesses within the city.
• Population: 62,904
• Businesses to be allowed:
• Cultivation
• Manufacturing
• Distribution
• Storefront Retail (4)

Fullerton

• Status: The city passed a cannabis business ordinance on November 17, 2020, that goes into effect on December 17, 2020. The City council will then draft the details for the license application process. 
• Population: 139,640
• Businesses to be allowed:
• Indoor Cultivation (Up to 5)
• State license types 1A, 2A, or 3A
• Manufacturing (Up to 5)
• Non-volatile
• State license type 6
• Retail (Up to 5)
• Storefront and non-storefront
• Distribution/Transportation (Up to 5)
• Microbusinesses (Up to 2)
• Testing Laboratory (No limit)
• Links:
• City of Fullerton - Cannabis

La Habra

• Status: Measure W passed authorizing four cannabis delivery businesses with a gross receipts tax of up to 6%.
• Population: 62,183
• Businesses to be allowed: 
• Delivery

Ventura County

• Status: Measure O was approved by voters, allowing cultivation (up to 500 acres for general cannabis and up to 100 acres for indoor nurseries) and distribution in unincorporated Ventura County.
• Population: 846,006
• Businesses to be allowed: 
• Cultivation
• Distribution
• Links:
• Cannabis in Ventura County

Weed

• Status: Measure B was approved, which implemented the city's cannabis business ordinance.
• Population: 2,704

Standing Open Applications

City of Benicia

• Status: Ongoing application process.
• Population: 28,306
• Businesses to be allowed:
• Cultivators
• Distributors
• Manufacturers
• Testing laboratories
• Microbusinesses
• Links:
• Benicia CA Cannabis Program Website 

City of Coalinga

• Status: Open application for indoor cultivation, manufacturing, testing laboratories, distribution, nursery, and microbusinesses. 
• Population: 16,534
• Businesses to be allowed:
• Indoor cultivation (up to 5,000 square feet canopy)
• Indoor cultivation (5,001 to 10,000 square feet canopy)
• Indoor cultivation (10,001 to 22,000 square feet canopy)
• Manufacturing (Non-volatile)
• Manufacturing (Volatile)
• Testing laboratory
• Distribution
• Nursery
• Microbusiness
• Links:
• City of Coalinga Commercial Cannabis Permitting
• City of Coalinga Permitting Process

City of Hollister

• Status: Open licensing for select business types. 
• Population: 39,749
• Businesses to be allowed:
• Cultivation
• Manufacturing
• Laboratory Testing 
• Distribution
• Links:
• Hollister Cannabis Facilities Permit Application and Information

City of Marysville

• Status: Open application process.
• Population:  69,779
• Businesses to be allowed:
• Cultivation
• Manufacturing
• Testing Lab
• Links: 
• City of Marysville Commercial Cannabis Business Permit Application

City of Palm Springs

• Status: Applications are currently being accepted. Qualified social equity applicants are eligible to receive benefits and assistance to navigate the application and permitting process.
• Population: 48,375
• Businesses to be allowed:
• Cultivation
• Distribution
• Retailers
• Lounges
• Manufacturing 
• Testing Laboratories
• Links:
• Palm Springs Cannabis-Related Business and Activities
• Palm Springs Social Equity Program 

City of Sacramento

• Status: The city revealed in January that it is contemplating an additional ten storefront retails permits. A City Council meeting is scheduled for August 18th to discuss storefront retail permits. The city is accepting license applications for other business types on an ongoing basis. 
• Population: 508,529
• Businesses to be allowed:
• Delivery
• Microbusiness
• Cultivation 
• Non-volatile manufacturing
• Testing lab
• Links: 
• City of Sacramento Cannabis Website 

City of San Leandro 

• Status: Open application for manufacturing businesses.
• Population: 89,703
• Businesses to be allowed:
• Manufacturing (license cap has been removed)
• Links:
• Zoning Code Amendment Ordinance 

San Luis Obispo County 

• Status: Open application process. 
• Population: 283,111
• Businesses to be allowed:
• Outdoor cultivation
• Indoor cultivation
• Non-Storefront Retailer
• Distribution
• Manufacturing
• Nurseries
• Testing Facilities
• Links:
• San Luis Obispo Cannabis Permitting Guide
• Cannabis Rules in San Luis Obispo County 

City of Santa Ana 

• Status: Open application process for cultivation, distribution, manufacturing, and laboratory testing businesses. Applicants are highly encouraged to call the Planning Division counter at (714) 647-5804 or email cannabis@santa-ana.org to schedule a pre-submittal or submittal appointment.
• Population: 332,775
• Businesses to be allowed:
• Cultivation
• Distribution
• Manufacturing
• Laboratory testing
• Links:
• Commercial Cannabis Portal

Markets To Keep An Eye On

City of Artesia

• Status: Voters passed Measure Q adopting a tax rate for cannabis businesses. There is currently no cannabis ordinance in place. 
• Population: 16,750

City of Benicia

• Status: Voters passed Measure D, a non-binding question on whether to allow cannabis retailers. 
• Population: 28,306

City of Calabasas

• Status: Voters passed Measure C adopting a tax rate for cannabis businesses. There is currently no cannabis ordinance in place.
• Population: 113,615
• Businesses to be allowed:
• Storefront Retail
• Non-Storefront Retail

City of Chico 

• Status: The City has paused the application process to reconsider the Commercial Cannabis program fees. The 45-day application period will re-adjust once the City Council provides more clarity.
• Population: 94,776
• Available License Types: 
• Retailer - Storefront
• Retailer - Delivery only
• Testing laboratory
• Manufacturer
• Distributor
• Links:
• City of Chico Cannabis Information

City of Corona

• Status: The City has a draft ordinance in progress.
• Population: 168,819
• Businesses to be allowed:
• Storefront retailer (17 licenses)
• 1 location per business
• Microbusiness (No limit)
• Non-storefront retailer (No limit)
• Manufacturing (No limit)
• Distribution (No limit)
• Testing Laboratory (No limit)
• Links:
• City of Corona Study Session Agenda
• City of Corona Draft Commercial Cannabis Ordinance

City of Costa Mesa

• Status: Voters passed Measure Q adopting a tax rate for cannabis businesses. City officials are now developing program rules.
• Population: 113,615
• Businesses to be allowed:
• Storefront Retail
• Non-Storefront Retail

City of Grass Valley

• Status: Voters passed Measure N adopting a tax rate for cannabis businesses. The City Council is now considering a cannabis business ordinance.
• Population: 12,914

City of Hawthorne

• Status: Voters passed Measure CC adopting a tax rate for cannabis businesses. There is currently no cannabis ordinance in place. 
• Population: 86,965

City of Laguna Woods

• Status: Voters passed Measure V a non-binding question on whether to allow cannabis retailers. 
• Population: 16,046

City of Lemon Grove

• Status: Voters passed Measure J adopting a tax rate for cannabis businesses. City officials have said they will fast track regulations to allow adult-use cannabis sales.
• Population: 26,969

City of Madera

• Status: Voters passed Measure R adopting a tax rate for cannabis businesses. The city is now considering a cannabis ordinance. 
• Population: 65,706

Redwood City

• Status: City Council is in support of  recommendations for adopting a cannabis business ordinance. There is currently no cannabis ordinance in place.
• Population: 86,200
• Businesses to be allowed:
• Storefront Retail/Delivery (6)

City of Sausalito

• Status: The City Council is discussing storefront retail businesses. There is currently no cannabis ordinance in place.
• Population: 7,100
• Businesses to be allowed:
• Storefront Retail

City of San Bruno

• Status: Voters passed Measure S adopting a tax rate for cannabis businesses. There is currently no cannabis ordinance in place. 
• Population: 43,047

City of Sonora

• Status: An ordinance has been adopted for cannabis land-use guidelines. The City Council will use it to develop zoning and regulations for commercial cannabis. 
• Population: 4,870
• Businesses to be allowed:
• Storefront Retail
• Manufacturing
• Testing Labs

City of Vacaville

• Status: Voters passed Measure V adopting a tax rate for cannabis businesses. There is currently no cannabis ordinance in place. 
• Population: 100,154

City of Ventura

• Status: Voters passed Measure I setting the tax rate for commercial cannabis. There is currently no cannabis ordinance in place.
• Population: 111,128

Whether you are seeking your first cannabis business license or looking to expand into new regional markets, we are entrenched in California’s market and standing by to assist. We have experts ready to locate and secure compliant real estate, help develop your business plan, build your financial models, write and submit tailored application content, and prepare you for investment and execution. With looming deadlines now is the time to get started. Schedule an exploratory consultation with us today.