CANNABIS USE PERMITS AWARDED TO THREE, AND DIRECTED STAFF TO EXPAND TO A TOTAL OF SIX USE PERMITS

January 3, 2018

In September of 2017, Seaside passed regulations allowing the sale, distribution and cultivation of medical and adult use cannabis at a limited number of locations in the City.  The Ordinance allowed for a 30 day application period and the deadline for Cannabis Use Permit applications was Tuesday, November 21st. The City of Seaside received 17 applications for permits which will ultimately only be granted at three locations. 

After a series of public meetings with the Planning Commission and the City Council, the Seaside City Council awarded three cannabis sales Use Permits at the  December 28, 2018 Special Meeting to Higher Level of Care/Cypress at 310 Alameda  (two vacant retail buildings facing Canyon Del Rey adjacent to Embassy Suites),  Canopy Monterey Bay/The Reef at 1900 Fremont (former dollar store and the  Shadow Box bar), and Cannedge at 680 Broadway (former First and Last Chance  thrift store).  Additionally, the City Council requested that three additional  applicants, specifically Plantacea, Pharm House and Rare Earth be considered in  process and in good standing and directed staff to provide options to amend the  existing ordinance to allow those additional operators use permits. 

The City Council subsequently amended the ordinance by increasing  the total number of available permits and required the applicants to find  alternate locations, or increase the total number of permits and reduce the  buffer distance between dispensaries. The Mayor summed up the meeting by remarking, it's a wonderful thing to  have so many people who want to invest in Seaside.  A total of six use permits were issued.