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Page 1 of 6 <br />REPORT <br />To the Honorable Mayor and City Council <br />From the City Manager <br /> <br />January 25, 2016 <br /> <br />SUBJECT <br />Interim Ordinance Establishing a Moratorium on Marijuana Cultivation and Commercial <br />Cannabis Activities within Redwood City <br /> <br />RECOMMENDATION <br />Hold a Public Hearing and Adopt an Interim Ordinance Establishing a Moratorium on <br />Marijuana Cultivation and Commercial Cannabis Activities within Redwood City <br /> <br />BACKGROUND <br />Redwood City currently regulates medical marijuana through Article 59 of the Zoning <br />Ordinance. Article 59 prohibits all medical marijuana distribution facilities, whether fixed <br />or mobile, in all zoning districts in the City. The California State Legislature recently <br />created a broad state regulatory and licensing system that governs various aspects of <br />the medical marijuana industry, including marijuana cultivation, commercial cannabis <br />activities, and medical marijuana deliveries through Assembly Bills 243 and 266 and <br />Senate Bill 643, which became law on October 9, 2016. <br /> <br />Of particular note, AB 243 created Health and Safety Code section 11362.777(c)(4), <br />which provides that if a city or county does not have a land use ordinance or regulation <br />prohibiting marijuana cultivation, either expressly or otherwise under principles of <br />permissive zoning or chooses not to implement a regulatory scheme, then commencing <br />March 1, 2016, the state Department of Food and Agriculture shall become the sole <br />licensing authority for cultivation applicants in that jurisdiction. In order to meet this <br />compacted deadline, ensure that the City maintains local control over marijuana <br />cultivation facilities, and protect the public health, safety, and welfare by prohibiting <br />marijuana cultivation and commercial cannabis activities, this proposed interim <br />ordinance must take effect immediately pursuant to Government Code section <br />65858(b). <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />9.A. - Page 1