Santa Paula council hears hours of public testimony on cannabis ballot measure; motion to place measure fails 1–4

The Santa Paula City Council on April 6 heard a staff presentation and more than three hours of public comment on whether the city should allow retail cannabis and place a measure on the November ballot, but a motion to move forward failed on a 1–4 roll-call vote.

City staff framed the discussion by reviewing state law and local options. Economic development director James Mason told the council that Proposition 64 (2016), which legalized adult‑use cannabis statewide, allows cities to permit or prohibit commercial cannabis and to regulate zoning, licensing and taxation. Mason noted that Santa Paula currently prohibits all commercial cannabis activities except lab testing, and that a voter-approved Measure N (passed Nov. 6, 2018, with roughly 71.7% approval) established a placeholder business tax should retail ever be permitted. Mason summarized regional revenue trends, saying early adopter cities saw peak receipts that have since declined, and that estimates for Santa Paula if retail were allowed range broadly depending on tax rate and market draw.

City Manager Dan Singer outlined three staff options: 1) direct staff to…