Whether or not you’re a supporter of Long Beach medical marijuana dispensaries they’re now being licensed by the city of Long Beach under a locally-approved ballot measure.
While marijuana remains federally illegal, California voters approved medical marijuana use in 1996. Separately, Californians approved a recreational marijuana law in 2016 similar to those passed in Alaska, Colorado, Nevada, Oregon, and Washington. Those who are at least 18 years old are allowed to use cannabis products at home but cannot do so in public places. They’re also allowed to possess up to one ounce of marijuana at a time and grow up to six plant as long as they’re not publicly visible.
Long Beach is in a unique position as one of the largest cities in the region with locally-adopted regulations for medical marijuana dispensaries. Within the city limits there are currently four licensed medical marijuana dispensaries, one licensed cannabis cultivator and, one licensed marijuana testing lab.
These numbers are expected to rise dramatically in the coming years as more investors cash in on the cannabis industry.
City employees are reviewing 28 applications to open new Long Beach medical marijuana dispensaries. You can see the proposed locations for these dispensaries on our Google Map. Anyone looking to open a dispensary in the port area would need to apply for a Harbor Development Permit.
The buildings available to medical marijuana dispensaries are limited because of city-mandated buffer zones around parks, libraries, schools, daycare centers and the beach. Generally, the medical marijuana-permitted areas include industrial sites around the Long Beach Airport, adjacent to freeways, the traffic circle commercial hub, and parts of major corridors such as 7th Street, Cherry and Atlantic avenues, and Long Beach Boulevard.
Councilwoman Stacy Mungo is hosting a forum for the public to share their thoughts and concerns about a dispensary proposed at Wardlow Road and Norwalk Boulevard. The meeting will be Friday, March 2 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Newcomb Academy Cafeteria, 3351 Val Verde Ave.
Long Beach Medical Marijuana Ordinance at a Glance
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Must close by 8 p.m. and open by 9 a.m.
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Dispensary guests must be at least 18 years old
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24-hour video surveillance and on-site patrol
California’s recreational marijuana industry is expected to be an even bigger industry than medicinal businesses.
On Dec. 19, the Long Beach City Council enacted a 180-day moratorium on “commercial adult-use marijuana activities” to allow more time for the development of new city regulations.
City Attorney Charles Parkin will report back to the City Council in June with a draft ordinance to allow, license, and regulate the retail sale, cultivation, manufacture, distribution, and laboratory testing of adult-use marijuana in Long Beach.
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