Title
a. Receive a report on initial staff findings related to cannabis consumption lounges; and
b. Provide further direction as appropriate.
Report
RECOMMENDATIONS:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors Cannabis Committee:
a. Receive a report on initial staff findings related to cannabis consumption lounges; and
b. Provide further direction as appropriate.
SUMMARY:
Following the July 7, 2022, Cannabis Committee (Committee) meeting, Program staff scheduled a meeting with the 8 fully licensed and permitted cannabis retailers and their Authorized Agents within the unincorporated area to discuss consumption lounges.
Local retailers believe that consumption lounges would be a meaningful addition to existing commercial cannabis activities within the unincorporated area of Monterey County. Industry suggestions were to begin with a pilot program within existing retail operation, and that this could contribute to higher local tax revenues. Staff scheduled a meeting with internal County departments for a preliminary review of the consumption lounge concept and anticipated requirements. Staff also scheduled a follow-up meeting with local retailers to receive additional input.
DISCUSSION:
To get a better understanding of the proposed business model, staff conducted initial research into existing cannabis consumption lounges across the State of California including the State of Nevada. At the time of writing, 12 jurisdictions explicitly permit consumption lounges within their regulations (Attachment A), and it should be noted that, with the exception of the City and County of San Francisco, all of them are at the city level. Some jurisdictions only permit consumption of edible goods while others also permit combustible goods, such as cannabis flower or extracts. At a recent Central Coast Cannabis Program Forum, the County of Sonoma reported that they were preparing an environmental impact report as a step toward allowing cannabis consumption lounges.
While t...
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