City of Sonoma ban on cannabis sales heads for extension

City Council to consider OKing moratorium for another year.|

Cannabis sales within the city limits may be put on hold for as much as another year, as the Sonoma City Council on Monday considers an extension of its temporary moratorium on commercial cannabis activities.

Commercial cannabis sales in Sonoma have been the subject of moratorium for nearly two years; the council placed its most recent 12-month ban on pot sales on Nov. 6 of 2017. Now on the eve of that moratorium’s expiration, the council will consider a third extension. However, in its report to the council, city staff say they plan on bringing a permanent ordinance for the council to consider as early as next month.

The current urgency ordinance bars all commercial cannabis activity within the city limits, though it allows for deliveries of medical cannabis from outside-the-city businesses, as long as they’ve acquired a City of Sonoma business license.

Sonoma and many other cities in the state are taking a wait-and-see approach to issues surrounding cannabis in the wake of the 2016 passage of Proposition 64, which legalized adult-use marijuana throughout the state.

Last month, the Sonoma City Council approved limited personal cannabis cultivation for both indoor and outdoor grows. Residents are allowed to cultivate a maximum of six cannabis plants, three of which may be grown outdoors.

Potentially adding to the confusion over any commercial-cannabis ordinance the city establishes is a ballot initiative planned for the 2020 election which, if approved by voters, would legalize dispensaries in the city.

The initiative, which qualified after a signature drive led by a group known as Sonoma Citizens for Local Access, would permit the “establishment and operation of commercial cannabis businesses, including commercial manufacturing, distribution, cultivation, transportation, testing, retail sales, and delivery of cannabis in commercial zoning districts in the City.”

The City Council meeting is Oct. 22 at 6 p.m. at 177 First St. W.

Email Jason at jason.walsh@sonomanews.com.

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