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REQUEST FOR <br />COUNCIL ACTION <br />CITY COUNCIL MEETING DATE: <br />JUNE 20, 2017 <br />TITLE: <br />PUBLIC HEARING — ORDINANCE <br />AMENDMENT NO. 2017-01 TO AMEND <br />CERTAIN SECTIONS OF CHAPTERS 18 <br />AND 21 OF THE SANTA ANA MUNICIPAL <br />CODE (MEDICAL MARIJUANA <br />COLLECTIVES/ COOPERATIVES AND <br />LICENSES) — CITY OF SANTA ANA, <br />APPLICANT <br />(STRATEGIC PLAN NOS. 3,2; 3,5) <br />MANAGER <br />RECOMMENDED ACTION <br />N4:4:73•];Kd•111�14011 =tolaAtl <br />❑ As Recommended <br />❑ As Amended <br />❑ Ordinance on 1 b Reading <br />❑ Ordinance on 2nd Reading <br />❑ Implementing Resolution <br />❑ Set Public Hearing For <br />CONTINUED TO <br />FILE NUMBER <br />Adopt an ordinance approving Ordinance Amendment No. 2017-01. <br />BACKGROUND <br />On November 4, 2014, Santa Ana voters approved Santa Ana's Medical Marijuana Regulatory <br />Program ordinance ("Measure BB") which was codified in sections of chapters 18 and 21 of the <br />Santa Ana Municipal Code (SAMC). Following the adoption of Measure BB, the City established <br />an implementation plan, enforcement program, administrative policies, and best practices. Since <br />then, 15 of the 20 permitted medical marijuana collectives/cooperatives have opened retail <br />dispensaries where medical marijuana is sold. <br />In May 2016, following initial implementation, the City held a roundtable discussion that invited <br />stakeholders, dispensary owners, and members of the medical marijuana industry to meet with <br />City staff regarding the implementation of Measure BB. A second roundtable was held in <br />February 2017. Participants of the roundtable discussions voiced opinions on various aspects of <br />the regulatory program and provided recommendations for code amendments to treat the 20 <br />permitted collectives/cooperatives as any other similar use, such as a retail drug store. <br />Staff also reviewed Measure BB to identify portions of the ordinance that, if amended, would <br />streamline implementation, eliminate unenforceable provisions, and establish administrative <br />procedures for revocation and transferability while ensuring that any potential impacts would be <br />mitigated. Staff then prepared options for ordinance amendments to recognize these uses are no <br />different than uses that sell prescription drugs. The ordinance revisions were presented to the <br />Public Safety, Code Enforcement & Neighborhood Empowerment Council Committee on May 9, <br />2017, and their comments were included in the proposed zoning ordinance amendments. <br />75A-1 <br />