Committee pauses cannabis-event permit ordinance after substantive amendments

The committee considered an ordinance (agenda item 3) to amend the Police Code to require that retailers at permitted cannabis events hold city-issued cannabis business permits, identify which retailers will sell at events and require event organizers to take steps to ensure only permitted retailers sell cannabis goods. The presenter said the March pilot and a first temporary permit for Grasslands showed a regulated approach can reduce unregulated sales and community harms.

Chair Mandelmann outlined amendments drafted by the Office of Cannabis that would require an event permit equity plan outlining actions to support the city’s equity goals (examples: ensure 30% of event work hours are performed by workers meeting equity criteria, training and mentorship, priority for equity operators). The amendments would give the Office of Cannabis authority to grant or deny permits based on successful completion of the equity plan.

There was no public comment. Supervisor Shamone Walton asked to be a co-sponsor and the chair moved to accept the amendments. Deputy City Attorney John Gifford advised that the committee-made amendments are substantive and therefore trigger a continuance in committee before the ordinance can be sent to the public; the chair then moved and the committee continued the item to the November 8 special meeting for further consideration.