Public commenters and some council members press council to consider retail cannabis policy; ad hoc subcommittee proposed

Public comment at the visioning workshop focused heavily on whether Escondido should allow retail adult-use cannabis and whether the city should pre-authorize a local tax. Speakers included industry veterans and public-health advocates who asked the council either to authorize a program with local tax revenue or to continue the current prohibition.

Steven Wheeler, who identified himself as a retired cannabis manufacturing director, urged the council to "provide serious, proactive, and comprehensive consideration ensuring our city take all necessary steps to independent assessment of a path to approval of retail adult use cannabis sales within our city, including a 7% city tax on gross receipts." Wheeler criticized agenda language that referenced "resource constraints" and said residents had shown support: "This body discussed…