Planning group creates ad hoc committee on marijuana dispensaries, calls March 1 special meeting

The Fallbrook Community Planning Group docketed a proposed letter to the county on the planned revision of the marijuana dispensary ordinance which urged county staff to consider planning group input. Jack Wood, planning group chair, learned from county staff, however, that the views of the community planning groups and community sponsor groups would be considered. The item was withdrawn from the Feb. 15 agenda, and an ad hoc committee was created.

The letter, which was not discussed, read: “The Fallbrook Community Planning Group is strongly opposed to the approval of the cannabis ordinance by the San Diego County Board of Supervisors, as written in the board letter. Furthermore, we should be an active participant and stakeholder in the creation, preparation, development and permit process for this new ordinance.”

The letter would have been sent to the county board of supervisors.

The ad hoc committee will meet Thursday, Feb. 25, at 9:30 a.m. and will make a recommendation. A special Fallbrook Community Planning Group meeting to discuss the marijuana ordinance will be held Monday, March 1, beginning at 7 p.m.

“We’re working on a time schedule,” Wood said. “We’re working rapidly on this.”

A 4-1 county board of supervisors vote Jan. 27, with Jim Desmond opposed, directed the development of Zoning Ordinance and Regulatory Code amendments which would repeal the existing ordinance restricting medical and recreational marijuana dispensaries and cultivation.

The amendments would also allow the sale of edible and drinkable as well as smokable cannabis products, allow cannabis retail sales in areas with commercial and industrial zoning, allow cannabis cultivation in agriculturally zoned areas, allow cannabis product manufacturing, distribution and testing in industrial-zoned areas and allow for a cannabis microbusiness license in areas with agricultural, commercial or industrial zoning.

They would also create a “social equity” program which gives individuals with past cannabis arrests and those in “disproportionately impacted areas” greater opportunities to secure an operating permit, allow for on-site consumption of cannabis products at specified cannabis facilities and permitted events.

The amendments would reduce the separation requirements for a dispensary, require a “labor peace agreement” with a labor union for every 10th employee at a cannabis facility, seek grant funding to implement the social equity program and exclude cannabis from the medical pre-screening process for county employees.

The supervisors directed that county staff report back to the board within 90 days with an update including any regulatory changes which could be implemented during that time and return to the board with a draft ordinance and policies within 180 days.

The Jan. 27 county board of supervisors hearing included planning group members expressing their dissatisfaction with the lack of community input. On Feb. 8, Wood was notified about a Feb. 11 Zoom meeting with planning group and sponsor group chairs being invited, so the draft letter on the Feb. 15 Fallbrook Community Planning Group agenda was withdrawn.

“We are going to be working to make the best possible deal, if you will, for our community,” Eileen Delaney, who will be chairing the ad hoc committee, said.

Delaney noted that the ad hoc committee will not discuss social equity and other matters which are not within the purview of the planning group but will be focusing on the land use elements of the proposed ordinance. The ad hoc committee discussions will include California Environmental Quality Act conformance.

Due to Brown Act restrictions no more than seven planning group members can be on the ad hoc committee which also includes Stephani Baxter, Jeniene Domercq, Kim Murphy, Ross Pike, Steve Brown and Victoria Stover.

Delaney noted that the planning group members were taken in order of who volunteered first. The ad hoc committee also includes six community members who are not on the planning group: Robert Bruins, Tyler Geffeney, Angela King, Robin Ladd, Jim Mendelson and Denise Shadle. Those who are not on the ad hoc committee will be able to provide input Feb. 25.

Delaney said that the committee members vary in age range.

“I think we’re going to get a good cross-section of our community,” she said.

The ad hoc committee will continue to meet following the March 1 special meeting but will disband once the draft ordinance is brought before the board of supervisors.

“We’re going to do what’s best for everybody,” Delaney said.

Joe Naiman can be reached by email at [email protected].