Marin County cannabis-delivery ordinance scheduled for final hearing in November

After a torrent of feedback on Marin County's proposed ordinance to allow delivery-only medicinal cannabis business, the county pushed the final hearing back at least a month. The county already banned other types of cannabis business.

'The county is committed to providing a way for patients in chronic pain to obtain medicinal cannabis products locally in a safe, reliable and convenient way,' the county said in a statement.

'The county's first attempt to establish a business licensing model for medicinal cannabis dispensaries in unincorporated Marin was not successful this spring, but the county is committed to working with residents and stakeholders to develop a feasible model,' the county stated. 'We have recently released a new medicinal cannabis delivery-only retailer licensing ordinance that incorporates revised State laws, and the recommendations made by patients, residents and industry members.'

The ordinance prepared by the Marin County Community Development Agency had been scheduled for consideration by the Marin County Board of Supervisors on Sept. 26, next Tuesday, and for final hearing on Oct. 10. With the delay, the matter will be the subject of a public workshop, and public comment will be invited during the supervisors' meeting on Oct. 10. A final public hearing is scheduled for Nov. 14. All the meetings are at 1:30 p.m. in the board chamber.

Another question-and-answer session about the ordinance is set with staff of the Community Development Agency today at 6:30 p.m.

If the board approves the ordinance in November, a period would start for license applications for cannabis delivery companies.

Under Proposition 64, which became law after voters approved it in November 2016, residents of California already can possess and use cannabis for both medicinal and adult or recreational purposes. But each county and city has the opportunity to decide whether to license businesses that cultivate, process or sell medicinal and adult-use cannabis.

James Dunn covers technology, biotech, law, the food industry, and banking and finance. Reach him at: james.dunn@busjrnl.com or 707-521-4257