Supervisors propose pause on new cannabis retail permits while controller review is requested

At the Feb. 11 board meeting Supervisor Shamann Walton, joined by Supervisor Ahsha Safaí, introduced an ordinance to amend the police code that would stop acceptance of new cannabis retail permit applications from the effective date of the ordinance. The sponsors said the temporary pause is intended to avoid market saturation and to prioritize equity applicants already in the pipeline.

Supervisor Walton said the goal is to “prioritize our equity applicants, but also make sure that the market is not too saturated” and to ensure the city can support equity-driven applicants.

Separately, Supervisor Joel Engard? (note: transcript identifies Supervisor Mark Farrell? — see audit) No — the controller hearing request was introduced by Supervisor Dean Feuer. Supervisor Dean Feuer publicly requested a committee-of-the-whole hearing for the City Controller’s report on cannabis and the adult-use industry. Feuer asked that the controller present recommendations on whether local cannabis permits should be subject to numerical or geographical limits and report back with suggestions to speed processing and strengthen the equity program; he proposed a committee-of-the-whole hearing on March 24.

Public commenters from the Bayview neighborhood urged city support for community-based cannabis businesses and asked why some neighborhoods are not designated as “green zones,” which affects whether local dispensaries and compassion centers can operate. One commenter asked the board to explain why District 10 (Bayview) was not designated a green zone and said local education and compassion services depend on that designation.

No ordinance vote occurred on Feb. 11; the item was introduced and will proceed through committee and subsequent readings.