Nine cannabis businesses that are in the running to obtain a commercial permit in Ventura hope their efforts won’t go up in smoke.
Applicants for eight retail and one distribution business are in the running, and each will have 10 minutes to make public presentations at 6 p.m. on July 18 in the Community Meeting Room at City Hall, 501 Poli St.
City Manager Alex McIntyre will consider the presentations and decide which businesses will ultimately get permits to operate in the city in August. McIntyre could also decide not to select any businesses.
“We are serious when we say we want the community to get involved,” said Heather Sumagaysay, spokeswoman for the city of Ventura. “We want them to share comments and questions about the proposed business locations.”
There are three permits available for retail cannabis businesses and 10 permits for distributors.
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The city is seeking the coastal commission approval for two more retail permits, said Yesania Anderson, a Ventura management analyst. The commission is expected to make its decision sometime next year, she said.
The application window to obtain a permit and operate a cannabis business in the city began on June 28, 2021, and closed on Aug. 11, 2021. There were 21 qualified applicants for retail permits and one for the distribution permit.
From those applicants, nine were selected by an outside consulting group to participate in the upcoming meeting. The finalists were chosen using the combined criteria of business ownership, neighborhood compatibility, community benefits, investment plans and proposed locations, according to the city.
Details of the applicants’ business plan have not been made public but could be revealed at the meeting, Anderson said.
When the city asked the applicants to offer some kind of benefit to the community, most offered 1-2% of their gross or net sales to the city to be used locally, Anderson said.
Of the nine finalists, the city gave each a ranking. Zasa LLC, which has a proposed location of 4591 Market St., was at the top of the list. According to the California Secretary of State website, Zasa Inc. is affiliated with Wheelhouse Cannabis Dispensary in Port Hueneme.
Those interested can attend the meeting in person to comment. The meeting will not be broadcast live online but recorded and shown on YouTube later, Sumagaysay said. Residents can submit online comments in advance of the meeting by July 13. The city will also accept general comments about this process through July 22.
The meeting will be led by city staff. McIntyre will not attend the meeting, Sumagaysay said. While the City Council is aware of the meeting, each member can decide whether to attend or not.
Residents living within 300 feet of the proposed cannabis business locations have been notified, she said.
Signs, with information about the upcoming meeting, will also be posted on the properties. The applicants will get the signs from the city next week, Anderson said.
In November 2020, Ventura voters approved a ballot measure for the taxation of cannabis in the city. In February 2021, the City Council adopted ordinances to allow for commercial cannabis businesses in Ventura.
For more information or to submit public comment, visit CityofVentura.ca.gov/Cannabis
Wes Woods II covers West County for the Ventura County Star. Reach him at wesley.woodsii@vcstar.com, 805-437-0262 or @JournoWes.
This article originally appeared on Ventura County Star: Cannabis businesses to make their case for Ventura operation
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