Resident urges council to protect equity intent, criticizes retail cannabis RFP and zoning exclusions

During the public comment period on June 18, resident Matt Weaver urged the council to revisit its retail cannabis strategic vision and the RFP process, saying staff maps and zoning decisions had effectively excluded parts of the city and disadvantaged long-time local operators.

Weaver's argument: Weaver said the council adopted a strategic vision for retail cannabis in 2023, and that the city later issued an RFP that he described as lacking transparency and that produced only two applicants. He said one applicant represented the city's equity program and another represented outside capital interests. "I'm tired of sitting on the sidelines and watching winners and losers be made behind closed doors," Weaver told the council.

Specific concerns: Weaver said the RFP produced a "red zone" that excluded desirable locations with visibility, parking and existing zoning, and that state funding tied to the effort has expiration dates. He described two letters of intent he had received for properties he owns and said he worried outside capital would prevail over long-time West Sacramento businesses and equity applicants.

Council response: The mayor thanked Weaver and offered to meet with him; staff and council did not take action on the comment during the meeting. Finance and planning staff later presented other agenda items unrelated to the RFP.

What this does and does not show: Weaver's remarks are public comment and do not represent a council action or formal appeal. The transcript records the resident's concerns but does not record a staff or council policy change in response during the June 18 meeting.