2023 brings new cannabis market opportunities to California cities
Cannabis use is legal in California, but cities and counties can prohibit cannabis businesses such as retail dispensaries from operating. As a result, the state is a patchwork of areas where it is and is not legal to establish a cannabis business. This list will help you navigate which cities and counties are licensing or in the process of licensing cannabis businesses this year.
Cannabis Friendly Cities in California
Woodland City
Background: The City expects to be able to open the application process by the end of February 2023 or early March 2023. We will provide notice ahead of the application release date.
Licenses: Maximum of six total conditional use permits for commercial cannabis manufacturing, distribution and/or testing and four storefront retail licenses
Timeline: the city has completed its adult use ordinance and is currently working on application materials. An application period is expected to open soon.
Huntington Beach
Background: Up to 10 total Commercial Cannabis Permits for storefront Retailer, Delivery only, and storefront/Delivery Retailers may be issued. No more than one (1) Retail Permits shall be issued to the same Owner(s).
Licenses: retail, delivery, manufacturing, indoor cultivation, distribution, testing
READ MORE: 2023 Cannabis Opportunities in US States
Hawthorne
Background: City of Hawthorne has had a cannabis working group developing their ordinance for several months and will soon submit a final report to city council for final approval and recommendations.
Licenses: 6 total storefront retail licenses, 1 reserved for social equity, 2 additional standalone delivery only retailers. 3 may have consumption lounge license attached
3 additional standalone consumption lounge licenses without a retail component. (considering separate cap for standalone delivery). Considering indoor cultivation, manufacturing, distribution, testing.
San Bruno
Background: San Bruno are in early stages of developing an adult use ordinance to allow storefront retail licenses in the city.
Licenses: The city plans on two storefront retail licenses and one delivery licenses.
Monterey
Background: Staff has been directed to move forward with the Cannabis Roadmap, which includes consideration of as few as one and as many as three cannabis retailers total in the City of Monterey, located in the downtown (except Alvarado Street), Lighthouse District, and Cannery Row Business District (except Cannery Row itself). Council also stated that it would consider cannabis retail operations on Cannery Row and at the Monterey County Fairgrounds at some point in the future.
Licenses: Retail, special events, testing, manufacturing, delivery
Proposed setbacks: State standard 600 feet from schools, youth centers, and daycare centers.
Application Timeline: The city originally hoped to complete an ordinance and begin the application process late fall, but still has many steps ahead of it to finalize its ordinance.
San Diego County
Background: The county of San Diego is in the early stages of developing an ordinance to allow adult uses in the unincorporated areas of the county, including cultivation, manufacturing, retail and distribution.
Application Timeline: TBD. The Cannabis Business Division made an informational presentation to the Economic Development and Intergovernmental Relations Committee (EDIR) on March 8, 2023. To review the agenda and presentation materials, please visit the EDIR Committee website
San Benito County
Background: San Benito County’s Planning Commission recently made recommendations to the board of supervisors to allow storefront retail and outdoor cultivation in the county, in addition to lifting the cap on non-storefront retail in the county.
Application Timeline: Cannabis Business Permit Application and Requirements can be found online.
How to obtain a California cannabis license
The first step in obtaining a California cannabis license is to find a city and county that allows commercial cannabis to be produced and sold. Due to the ever-changing legal landscape in California, partnering with a California cannabis consultant is one of the best actions you can take in the process. To begin the process of obtaining a cannabis license in California, fill out the form below to speak with a cannabis consultant today.