Santa Paula introduces ordinance to allow medicinal cannabis delivery to comply with state law

Santa Paula city leaders on March 5 moved to align local rules with state law by introducing an ordinance to permit non‑storefront medicinal cannabis retailers to deliver within the city.

The measure — introduced after a staff presentation on Senate Bill 1186, the Medicinal Cannabis Patients’ Right of Access Act — would permit delivery sales by licensed medicinal cannabis retailers while continuing to ban storefront cannabis businesses. City staff told the council that the amendment is required to avoid conflict with state law and that delivery operations would be limited to the city’s industrial zoning areas and be subject to conditional‑use permitting and operational controls.

The city said the ordinance (number 13‑42) codifies operational standards including a state‑approved operations plan, building and health code compliance, monitored security systems, on‑site uniform security personnel, odor‑control measures, and a ban on advertising or cannabis‑related markings on delivery vehicles and buildings. Deliveries by retailers located outside the city would still be permitted if that retailer holds the required state license and a Santa Paula business license, according to the draft ordinance.

Public comment included a safety warning about accidental pediatric exposures to edible cannabis products; a resident cited media reports of increased child exposures elsewhere and asked the council to consider that risk when implementing delivery regulations.

Mayor Pedro Chavez moved to waive first reading and introduce Ordinance 13‑42; a councilmember seconded the motion. The council approved the motion unanimously, allowing staff to proceed with the ordinance process. City attorneys told the council that failing to amend local code would leave the city out of step with state law and could invite legal risk.

Next steps identified by staff include returning the ordinance for formal adoption at a subsequent meeting, and processing conditional‑use permits and business license applications consistent with the new rules. Staff also noted that delivery vehicles must meet the vehicle marking and operational restrictions set in the ordinance.

By limiting non‑storefront retail activity to industrial zones and adding operational controls, the ordinance aims to meet the state’s delivery requirement while keeping retail storefronts prohibited within Santa Paula.