Cannabis Information

Update 12/1/22

City of Ventura Staff will be presenting to the City Council regarding cannabis on Monday, December 5, 2022.   City Council will be asked to clarify the number of permits to be issued and whether Phase IV of the licensing process should be redone.  Please see the attached staff report: Agenda Item 11 and full meeting agenda: City Council Regular Meeting Agenda, for more information.

10/21/22 City approves four applicants

Ventura, Calif. – The Ventura City Manager Alex D. McIntyre selected the finalists for the City’s first round of commercial cannabis permits. The three retail businesses that have been conditionally awarded permits are Responsible and Compliant Retail Ventura, located at 1890 East Main Street; TAT Ventura, located at 2835 E Main Street; and ZASA, located at 4591 Market Street. The only industrial applicant in the process has been awarded to Ventura’s Finest, located at 3037 Golf Course Drive.

 [Read more...]

  1. Background/ Regulations
  2. Application Period 1 Timeline
  3. Application Materials
  4. Phase III Finalists  & Map
  5. Community Meeting Recap
  6. Buffers
  7. Interactive Map

Background

  • October 12, 2020 - City Council unanimously endorsed a framework for commercial cannabis regulations. 
  • November 2020 - Voters approved Measure I, a ballot measure for the taxation of cannabis. 
  • November 23, 2020 - City Council viewed a draft of the Regulatory Ordinance (Chapter 6.420) and a Resolution for the Maximum Number of Businesses and Buffers from Sensitive Uses.   
  • February 8, 2021 - City Council approved the first reading of the Regulatory Ordinance (Chapter 6.420) and Zoning Ordinance (Section 24.105.200).  Council approved a Resolution for the Maximum Number of Businesses and Buffers from Sensitive Uses. 
  • February 24, 2021 - City Council approved the second reading of the Regulatory Ordinance (Chapter 6.420) and Zoning Ordinance (Section 24.105.200)  (City Council Meeting Video).
  • March 8, 2021 - City Council approved the cannabis permit application fees and an agreement for a cannabis consultant to assist the City with the application evaluation process, as well as with background checks, compliance, and auditing.  (City Council Meeting Video) (Staff Report for Item 9G - consultant agreement) (Staff Report for Item 12A - cannabis fees)
  • May 10, 2021 - A public hearing was held at which City Council authorized, by resolution, the submittal of a Local Coastal Program (LCP) Amendment to the California Coastal Commission to allow commercial cannabis businesses to operate in the City's Coastal Zone.  For a draft of the LCP Implementation Plan Amendment, see the "Draft Local Coastal Program Amendment" section below.  (City Council Meeting Video)  (Staff Report for Item 12C)
  • June 14, 2021 - City Council received an update regarding the commercial cannabis business permit application process and criteria.  (City Council Meeting Video)  (Staff Report for Item 9F)

Draft Local Coastal Program Amendment

  • Local Coastal Program (LCP) Amendment
    • May 10, 2021 - City Council held a public hearing and adopted Resolution no. 2021-041, authorizing the submittal of an amendment to the City's Local Coastal Program (LCP) with an addition to the Implementation Plan (IP) to the California Coastal Commission in order to allow commercial cannabis businesses to operate in the City's Coastal Zone. 
    • Notice of Availability of Draft LCP Implementation Plan (IP)Amendment
    • Draft LCP IP Amendment

Approved Ordinances and Resolutions

Contact Us

For questions about the status of the cannabis program, please contact us via Email 

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  1. Cannabis Permits - Council Meeting Monday, December 5, 2022

  2. City Manager Selects Top Applicants

    Ventura, Calif. — The Ventura City Manager Alex D. McIntyre selected the finalists for the City’s first round of commercial cannabis permits... Read on...
  3. Phase IV Timeframe Extended

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