Paso Robles council trying to ward off marijuana businesses

October 6, 2016

With marijuana legalization likely to pass on the November ballot, Paso Robles officials are trying to preempt a pot rush in the North County city. The city council finalized an ordinance Tuesday that will, by in large, prohibit marijuana businesses from operating in Paso Robles.

If Proposition 64 passes, medical marijuana delivery services will be the only pot businesses permitted to operate in Paso Robles. Brick and mortar marijuana stores and dispensaries will be banned, as will be cultivation, transportation and manufacturing of marijuana for commercial purposes.

Mobile medical marijuana dispensaries are already tolerated under current city codes. Delivery services must obtain permitting, though.

The new Paso Robles ordinance will also ban outdoor cultivation of cannabis. If the ballot initiative passes, the city will only allow growers to cultivate plants inside an accessory structure on a private residence.

Prop. 64 calls for legalizing marijuana for recreational purposes. The ballot measure would allow cities and counties to effectively ban marijuana businesses by restricting where they can be located. The initiative would also allow local governments to ban outdoor cultivation. But, under Prop. 64, individuals are allowed to grow up to six plants inside their homes.

Paso Robles’ marijuana ordinance will take effect early next month, prior to the Nov. 8 election.