In an effort to head off further attempts at initiatives or voter referendums by marijuana dispensary proponents, the City Council Monday unanimously approved a motion to take steps to prepare its own initiatives for the June 5, 2018 ballot to regulate cannabis sales and taxation in Pasadena.
Any new ordinance proposed by the process would essentially rewrite land use ordinances passed last year that outlawed the sale or distribution of recreation and medicinal marijuana in the city.
An ordinance regarding taxation on marijuana sales would be created separately, the council also decided.
The new ordinances are an attempt by the city to regulate marijuana sales under “our rules,” as opposed to proponents’ rules, said Planning Director David Reyes.
The City Council’s original decision to ban commercial cannabis sales came after what was essentially a year-long discussion with the community to develop cannabis regulations, which included meetings before the Planning Commission, the Economic Development and Technology Committee and the City Council.
Top image: © Brian Scantlebury | Adobe Stock
