On November 12 the San Luis Obispo Board of Supervisors gave a preliminary thumbs up to the idea of a pilot program to allow retail cannabis dispensaries to locate in coastal parts of the county. The vote was 3 to 2.
Supervisor Dawn Ortiz Legg is promoting the idea of the pilot program for unincorporated coastal towns like Avila Beach,Oceano, Los Osos, Cayucos, and Cambria that do not have retail marijuana dispensaries. Staff released a map showing properly zoned parcels in each of those communities where retail establishments could open.
Supervisor Bruce Gibson noted that few complaints have been received regarding the operation of cannabis dispensaries in incorporated towns like Grover Beach, San Luis Obispo and Morro Bay.
Ortiz Legg also pointed out that these potential new stores could bring in more tax dollars to the county.” Quite frankly, we are losing business,” she stated. There are three dispensaries in Grover Beach, just down the block from Oceano. Morro Bay has two. Right now these municipalities get the tax dollars.
Defending the idea of a pilot “It’s important to go step-by-step,” she said,given that the coastal area is where tourism is.
By contrast, Supervisor Debbie Arnold said SLO County is already suffering red ink and that the county cannabis program allowing growing, manufacturing and delivery has yet to make a profit.
Supervisor John Peschong read a recent state court ruling that suggested federal law stands in the way of mauajuna availability and opposes any expansion of activity here.
With the 3 to 2 vote, staff will return to the board with draft findings and a resolution that would allow such a pilot program.
“This just the first step” in handing the project off to the county planning department to come up with potential regulations and setbacks, noted Gibson.