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National City Council approves expanded storefront cannabis hours over public health objections
Summary
The City Council voted 4–1 to amend National City Municipal Code Chapter 9.6 to expand operating hours for storefront cannabis retailers. Opponents and several public-health commenters urged the council to keep shorter hours, citing concerns about youth access, public intoxication and strain on first responders.
The National City City Council voted 4–1 to adopt an ordinance amending Chapter 9.6 of the National City Municipal Code to expand operating hours for storefront cannabis retail facilities.
Councilmember Yamani cast the lone no vote. Councilmembers approved the ordinance after a public hearing in which health and neighborhood-safety concerns were raised by multiple callers and Zoom participants.
Supporters of keeping the current hours urged the council to delay any expansion until the city and law enforcement can observe the new businesses in operation. Judith Strang, a Zoom participant, said the city should “give the public a chance to see what it will look like and what might be the outcome” before lengthening hours. A caller who identified herself as Madison said extended hours increase “exposure, more traffic and more potential for youth access and impaired driving.”
Barbara Gordon, identifying herself as a public-health advocate, said extended hours could “exacerbate public health issues” including public intoxication and late-night disturbances and damage neighborhood businesses by creating noise and crowding. Several other commenters also urged the council not to align operating hours to neighboring jurisdictions if National City’s capacity to enforce public-safety rules differs.
Council discussion focused on the ordinance language and the city’s enforcement capacity. No additional staff report was presented at the hearing; staff indicated they were available to answer questions. After the public comment period the council moved directly to the vote.
The ordinance changes the city’s municipal code Chapter 9.6 to allow expanded storefront hours; the staff report listed the item on the agenda as 9.2. The measure passed by a 4–1 vote with Councilmember Yamani voting no.
What’s next: The ordinance takes effect according to the normal municipal ordinance schedule unless the text specifies a different effective date, and city staff will handle any required administrative steps to implement the new schedule and inform retailers of compliance requirements.
