The Petaluma City Council voted to allow up to three new cannabis shops in town — a move years in the making after Petaluma leaders opted for a cautious approach to marijuana sales within city boundaries.
At its June 17 meeting, council members voted 6-0 to allow the cannabis storefronts and outlined other parameters related to legal weed. The ordinance’s second reading was held at the July 1 meeting and passed 6-0, with council member Karen Nau absent at both meetings.
The updated regulations will take effect on Aug. 1, 2024, according to a staff report.
After California voters legalized recreational cannabis use, sale and cultivation in November 2016, the city enacted its cannabis ordinance in December 2017, which allowed for specified manufacturing, testing and delivery-only retail sales with no commercial cultivation allowed.
Currently the city allows up to two delivery services, however only one has been permitted in town, Farmhouse Artisan Market. Just outside city limits is Down Under Industries, which the owners consider a Petaluma business although it is regulated by Sonoma County. In addition to delivery, it serves walk-ins, online orders and phone orders.
Other major updates include changes to the city’s implementing zoning ordinance and relocating
