Santa Paula council moves to amend code to comply with state medicinal cannabis delivery law

The Santa Paula City Council on Tuesday opened a public hearing and voted to amend and reintroduce an ordinance aligning the city’s cannabis rules with state law — specifically Senate Bill 1186, which restricts local regulations that would effectively prevent licensed medicinal cannabis delivery services.

Planning staff presented ordinance No. 13‑42, which would update Santa Paula Municipal Code chapter 16.79 to allow “retail sale by delivery of medicinal cannabis” and to permit non‑storefront (delivery‑only) medicinal cannabis retailers in the city’s industrial zone subject to conditional use permits and operational requirements. Staff said the city currently bans almost all commercial cannabis activity and must allow delivery service access to patients under SB 1186.

The ordinance as drafted would allow one or more non‑storefront delivery operators to locate in the city’s industrial zone and sets operational standards including a police‑approved operations plan, building and health code compliance, on‑site uniformed security, monitored security systems, odor‑control measures and a ban on exterior signage or markings on delivery vehicles. Staff also said the city may regulate delivery operations for public safety and health but may not generally prohibit delivery from originating outside the city.

Several residents spoke during public comment. Mary Bagdasian said she supported compliance with state law but urged caution about safety, security and children’s exposure, adding, “I’m wary of potential problems that could arise because of their presence, especially with security and safety for our community members, and also more exposure to children with cannabis use in homes.” Britney Butts spoke in favor of the changes, saying, “I’m so excited to see Santa Paula moving towards this way,” and described retail cannabis businesses she had seen as secure and well managed.

Council members asked staff to clarify limits on hours, taxation and whether delivery from licensed storefronts outside the city is permitted. Staff and the city attorney said state law bars cities from prohibiting delivery into a jurisdiction and that delivery hours cannot be regulated by local ordinance if restricted by the statute; taxation and local business license requirements remain applicable.

City Attorney Castillo recommended council amend the ordinance to make explicit that delivery into the city from licensed sellers outside Santa Paula is allowed, and to return the amended ordinance for reintroduction. Councilmember Crosswhite moved to amend the code to comply with SB 1186 and bring the ordinance back; Councilmember Ornelas seconded. The motion passed by unanimous voice vote.

With the amendment, staff said the ordinance will return for formal reintroduction and a second reading in a future meeting, followed by the conditional‑use permit and licensing process for any operator that seeks to locate in the city.

The council and staff noted taxation and business tax revenues from medicinal cannabis transactions remain subject to state and local taxes and would be collected through existing business licensing and sales reporting.

What’s next: Staff will revise ordinance No. 13‑42 to explicitly allow delivery into Santa Paula from licensed medicinal cannabis retailers located outside the city, then reintroduce the ordinance for formal consideration at a future council meeting.