HomeMy WebLinkAboutCORRESPONDENCE - 75ECity Council Meeting Correspondence
11/9/2017
Item No. 75E PUBLIC HEARING - ORDINANCE AMENDMENT NO, 2017-04 TO AMEND CERTAIN SECTIONS OF
CHAPTERS 18 AND 21 OF THE SANTA ANA MUNICIPAL CODE (MEDICAL MARIJUANA
COLLECTIVES/ COOPERATIVES)
Date of
Correspondence
1 11/912017
*RA - Recommended Action
Name Representative of
Melahat Rafiei Principal, Progress Solutions Consulting &
Public Affairs
In Favor In opposition
of RA*. of RA*.
Yes No
Thursday, November 9, 2017 Page 1 of 1
Mitre -Ramirez, Norma
From: Magallon, Becky
Sent: Thursday, November 9, 2017 8:09 AM
To: Huizar, Maria
Cc: Mitre -Ramirez, Norma
Subject: FW: Cannabis ordinance - Q&A re timeline
AM
Forwarding an email that the City Council received regarding today's Council meeting. Thanks.
Becky Magallon 6 Secretary to the City Manager
City Manager's Office I ILmagllorr@sant�_ana_grg
714.647.5200 120 Civic Center Plaza I Santa Ana, CA 92701
This email and any files or attachments transmitted with it may contain privileged or otherwise confidential information. If you are
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From: melahat.rafiei@gmail.com [mailto:melahat.rafiei@gmail.com] On Behalf Of Melahat Rafiei
Sent: Thursday, November 09, 2017 4:40 AM
To: Pulido, Miguel <MPulido@santa-ana.org>; Tinajero, Sal <STinajero@santa-ana.org>; Benavides, David
<DBenavides@santa-ana.org>; Martinez, Michele <MiMartinez@santa-ana.org>; Sarmiento, Vicente
<VSarmiento@santa-ana.org>; Solorio, Jose <JSolorio@santa-ana.org>; Villegas, Juan <1Villegas@santa-ana.org>
Cc: Godinez, Raul <RGodinez@santa-ana.org>; jayson quinones <jayson@ftemgmt.com>; Chris Glew
<glewlaw@gmail.com>
Subject: Cannabis ordinance - Q&A re timeline
Dear Honorable Mayor and Councilmembers -
We appreciate the work that has been put forward regarding regulating and expanding the cannabis industry in Santa Ana. As we have
communicated to staff, and to many of you, we see ourselves as partners with the city. Please accept this letter to specifically address the
critical timing of the current proposed cannabis ordinance. We hope the following information helps clarify the need for operational status
before the end of the calendar year
The Bureau of Cannabis Control is the primary licensing authority for the State of California. The Bureau has experienced a number of
hurdles in rolling out the anticipated January cannabis licensing program. The Bureau, in an effort to expedite implementation, has set up a
temporary licensing program.
Business and Professions Code section 26050.1 allows the Bureau of Cannabis Control to issue temporary licenses. A temporary license is a
conditional license that allows a business to engage in commercial cannabis activity for a period of 120 days. The Bureau can only issue a
temporary license if the applicant has a valid license, permit, or other authorization issued by the local jurisdiction.
The Bureau intends to start issuing temporary licenses January 1, 2018 and expects to begin accepting applications prior to that date.
All applicants will be required to provide the following:
1. A copy of a valid license, permit, or other authorization issued by the local jurisdiction where the business is operating that allows the
applicant to conduct commercial cannabis activity at the location. Local authorization may vary by jurisdiction and must specify that the
applicant is approved for commercial cannabis activity.
There are of course additional requirements for these applicants including but not limited to, premises diagrams, name of applicant, license
type requested, authorization to use property, and background checks. However, nothing moves forward without first clearing this hurdle.
Based on the mere fact that the Bureau has implemented this 120 day temporary licensing program is a clear indicator of how far out they are
projecting the issuance of a more permanent license. It is imperative that local jurisdictions move quickly to create a pathway for operational
status before January 1, 2018. Failure to do so will prevent any revenue generation until at least mid to late 2018 for the city. The Bureau has
indicated they will be only utilizing these temporary permits for the first 120 days. It would be reasonable to forecast that the earliest date that
a locally licensed applicant could obtain State licensing, if they miss the January 1, 2018 window, will be May 1, 2018.
Hopefully this sheds some light on the necessity of moving toward operational status before January 1, 2018. Please feel free to contact me
regarding any questions or concerns.
Best,
Melahat Rafiei
Representing SACA - Santa Ana Cannabis Association
Melahat Rafiei
Principal, Progressive Solutions Consulting
Principal, Progressive Solutions Public Affairs
Member, Democratic National Committee
Mobile (949) 350-7733
Office (562) 491-1318
Fax (562) 546-1367
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