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San Francisco health officials outline phased cannabis ordinance, equity program and local permitting ahead of 2018 state licenses
Summary
City health officials and planning staff briefed the Health Commission on a proposed local cannabis ordinance that would create an Office of Cannabis, a phased registration-to-permit process tied to an equity program, 600-foot buffers around schools, and delivery and consumption authorizations; commissioners and public commenters urged strong public-health safeguards and clearer consumption pathways.
Nicole Elliott, director of the newly created Office of Cannabis, told the Health Commission the proposed ordinance aims to implement state rules for medical and adult-use commercial cannabis while prioritizing public health, youth protections and equity. She said the city's approach will use a phased registration and permitting process so existing operators can move toward temporary and then permanent permits once an equity program is in place.
The ordinance, introduced by the mayor and co-sponsored by a supervisor, would create local authorization requirements in addition to state licensing and require a local equity program to be established before permanent adult-use and medical permits are issued. "The proposed ordinance requires the creation of this [equity] program, and requests that it be designed to foster equitable access to participation in the industry," Elliott said during the briefing.
Planning Department manager Aaron Starr outlined land-use controls in the proposal: three categories for cannabis activity (non-retail PDR uses, a new cannabis…
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