Antioch Says Yes to Cannabis Business District
In an about face on marijuana policy, the Antioch City Council voted to create a cannabis business district that could one day include cannabis labs, manufacturing facilities, distribution centers or dispensaries.
Council members Tony Tiscareno, Monica Wilson and Lamar Thorpe voted in favor of an ordinance establishing the district, to be located along Wilbur Avenue in the northeast area of the city and along Verne Roberts Circle near Pittsburg (see map, below). Mayor Sean Wright and Lori Ogorchock voted against it.
Wright, who said he toured several dispensaries and cultivation plants to educate himself on marijuana businesses, initially supported the ordinance but wanted to remove dispensaries from the list of allowed cannabis businesses, expressing concern that retail sales would lead to an increase in crime. Ogorchock said she was against any marijuana businesses in the city, a position she has maintained in previous council meetings regarding the issue.
Nearly two-thirds of Antioch voters approved Prop. 64 two years ago, which legalized recreational marijuana use and sales in the state.
While no one spoke in favor of the resolution at Tuesday night's meeting, several dozen people pleaded with council members not to legalize marijuana businesses. Without offering proof, several stated marijuana was a "gateway drug" that led to addiction to harder substances.
The current council's vote is a reversal from its first meeting together in December 2016. At that time, the council approved extending a moratorium on Prop. 64 that banned outdoor cultivation and medical marijuana dispensaries. The moratorium was extended until this year. During that time, city council members asked staff to study the commercial benefits of cannabis businesses.
The city's ban on medical marijuana deliveries is still in effect. Several people who spoke at Tuesday's council meeting said cannabis deliveries are being made within the city. However, Antioch residents who have been prescribed cannabis and wish to obtain it legally must travel 30 miles to the nearest dispensary.
Under the ordinance, the city council would still need to approve any future cannabis business in the district. The ordinance will receive a second reading at next month's council meeting.
