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Santee Council selects four retail cannabis businesses, approves alternates and adopts staff recommendation
Summary
After three days of interviews and public comment, the Santee City Council selected Buzz, Dr. Green Thumb's, Flyte and Green Reserve as the four Commercial Cannabis Businesses and named Embarc first alternate; the council approved the staff recommendation 5-0 on July 11, 2025.
The Santee City Council concluded a three-day special hearing July 8, 10 and 11, 2025 by selecting four retail commercial cannabis businesses and approving a resolution implementing the selections. Councilmembers chose Buzz, Dr. Green Thumb's, Flyte and Green Reserve as the four CCBs; Embarc was named first alternate and Culture Cannabis Club, Mission Greens and Santee Holistics were named additional alternates.
Planning and Building Director Sandi Sawa presented an updated draft of the resolution before the vote. Councilmember Dustin Trotter moved to approve the staff recommendation; Vice Mayor Rob McNelis seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously: Mayor John W. Minto: Aye; Vice Mayor Rob McNelis: Aye; Councilmembers Ronn Hall: Aye; Laura Koval: Aye; and Dustin Trotter: Aye. The minutes record the vote tally as Ayes: 5, Noes: 0. The minutes note the council found the action exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act under CEQA Guidelines Section 15303.
The selection follows multiple applicant interviews and rounds of member nominations during the meeting. The minutes indicate the council progressed from initial eight-applicant short lists to a final set of four, with alternates designated to fill any vacancies or denials that may occur as the selection is finalized.
