Supervisor Wiener seeks 19‑member task force to plan for state cannabis legalization

Supervisor Wiener introduced legislation and a related hearing request on April 28, 2015 to prepare San Francisco for a likely statewide move toward cannabis legalization.

Wiener said multiple statewide initiatives were under consideration and that San Francisco should take a proactive approach rather than wait until a state measure passes. He proposed a 19‑member Cannabis State Legalization Task Force with representatives from city agencies — including the Department of Public Health, Fire Department, Police Department, Department of Building Inspection and Planning Department — and stakeholders from the cannabis community, organized labor, neighborhood associations, the business and tourism sectors, nightlife and public‑health advocates. The term of the task force was proposed as one year.

Wiener said the task force would study draft state measures, lessons from other states, and issues unique to San Francisco, and would report recommendations to the Board of Supervisors in order to avoid a post‑legalization “fire drill.” He asked that the board move forward with the ordinance and with hearings to appoint and constitute the task force in time to deliver findings within about a year.