San Francisco Passes Moratorium on Medical Cannabis Dispensary Permits

San Francisco enacted a temporary ban Tuesday on issuing permits for additional medical cannabis dispensaries despite concerns over patient access as it prepares for the era of legalized recreational use.

STATE BY STATE: California Cannabis News

Supervisor Malia Cohen introduced in July a blanket moratorium on the issuance of all permits for medical cannabis dispensaries (MCDs). It quickly faced significant opposition from business leaders and cannabis advocates like state Sen. Scott Wiener.

After making an exemption for four MCD applicants in the pipeline — those with already scheduled hearings before the Planning Commission — and stripping a controversial amendment made Monday by Supervisor Katy Tang, the Board of Supervisors voted 9-2 to enact the moratorium for 45 days. Subsequent votes could extend it for up to two years.

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