Rules Committee advances ordinance to create San Francisco Office of Cannabis, refers budget to fiscal review

The San Francisco Rules Committee on July 12 advanced an ordinance to create an Office of Cannabis, approving amendments and referring the proposed fiscal package to budget and finance committees for review.

Supervisor Asha Safaei, chair of the committee, said the proposal is intended to streamline city processes following passage of Proposition 64. "This bill really is a housekeeping matter to ensure that San Francisco can comply with Proposition 64," Supervisor Sheehy told the panel, arguing a centralized office would be "more streamlined and less expensive" than a separate commission.

Adam Nguyen, finance and planning director for the City Administrator's Office, described the Office as a centralized resource to "facilitate the licensing process" and to act as a "one-stop shop" that coordinates interdepartmental workflows. Nguyen told the committee the office would "manage the final operating licenses, and that includes issuance, renewal, revocation, and…