Solvang, CA. Delays the decision on whether to allow recreational pot sales

City leaders in Solvang, California, made a decision Monday on whether or not to allow the sale of recreational cannabis in their jurisdiction.

The Santa Maria Times reports that City Council members in Solvang, about 130 miles offshore Los Angeles, “voted 3-2 to seek further input from law enforcement before considering an update to the city’s ordinance.” , which would allow recreational use of cannabis sales within city limits.”

“It sounds to me like cannabis is ubiquitous. It is everywhere. It’s not about whether we allow it. It is allowed. It’s about whether we will agree to enable a retail location in our city. We decide that,” said City Council Member Elizabeth Orona, quoted by the Santa Maria Times.

Although California voters approved a measure to legalize the state’s recreational use and sale of cannabis in 2016, Solvang opposed it.

In 2018, the local city council passed an ordinance banning the sale of recreational cannabis.

Medical cannabis, which has been legal in California statewide since voters legalized it in 1996, is legal in Solvang.

The City Council in Solvang “passed an ordinance [in 2018] to allow the retail sale of medicinal cannabis in the city for anyone with a cannabis card,” according to the Santa Maria Times, although “the number and location of medicinal cannabis facilities were limited and requirements for operations were set, including requirements for security measures and a local tax rate of 5% to 10%.”

Some Solvang City Council members protested the delay, arguing that it is time for the city to collect tax revenue from cannabis sales that have been lost to neighboring communities where recreational cannabis sales are allowed.

“I’m not a big fan of weed. I wasn’t when it was medical. But voters approved that in 2016. … As long as Solvang people go to Lompoc to get that, Solvang is losing taxpayers’ money,” Councilor Robert Clarke said, as quoted by the Santa Maria Times.

Council member Claudia Orona, meanwhile, demanded that pot should be treated no differently than other vices.

“I always find it interesting that people bring up health and safety issues with cannabis, but they never bring that up when another wine tasting room or bar opens,” Orona said, as quoted by the newspaper.

“The issue here is not that cannabis is available in our community. It’s widespread, either by people traveling to pharmacies or going to websites and apps and ordering it and having it delivered to their homes,” Orona added.

California’s legal cannabis industry is going through a rough patch as the illicit market continues to impact sales, resulting in falling tax revenues.

In September, state Gov. Gavin Newsom signed legislation expanding the legal cannabis market by “establishing a process for California to enter into agreements with other states to facilitate cannabis transactions with companies outside of California.”

The governor’s office said at the time that as part of the 2022 budget, Newsom also “signed legislation into law to provide tax breaks to consumers and the cannabis industry; support venture capital; strengthening enforcement tools against illegal cannabis operators; strengthen employee protection; expand access to legitimate retail; and to protect youth, environmental and public safety programs funded by cannabis tax revenues.”

“For too many Californians, the promise of cannabis legalization remains unattainable,” Newsom said. “These actions build on the important strides our state has made toward that goal, but much work remains to build an equitable, safe and sustainable legal cannabis industry. I look forward to working with the Legislature and policymakers to fully implement cannabis legalization in communities across California.”