[{ "name": "Ad - Medium Rectangle CC01 - 300x250", "id": "AdMediumRectangleCC01300x250", "class": "inlineCenter", "insertPoint": "8", "component": "2963441", "requiredCountToDisplay": "12" },{ "name": "Ad - Medium Rectangle LC01 - 300x250", "id": "AdMediumRectangleCC01300x250", "class": "inlineCenter", "insertPoint": "18", "component": "2963441", "requiredCountToDisplay": "22" },{ "name": "Ad - Medium Rectangle LC09 - 300x250", "id": "AdMediumRectangleLC09300x250", "class": "inlineCenter", "insertPoint": "28", "component": "3252660", "requiredCountToDisplay": "32" }]
Plans to allow medical marijuana dispensaries to operate in Grover Beach got the thumbs up from the California Coastal Commission, bringing the city's goal of welcoming the burgeoning industry one step closer to reality.
The members of the commission unanimously concurred with its staff's recommendation on Feb. 7 to approve proposed modifications to the city's Local Coastal Program (LCP) implementation plan to include standards for commercial cannabis uses and activities. The commission initially approved the city's cannabis ordinance in July 2017, but the modification was necessary to reflect changes in state law regarding recreational use that went into effect in January, and to expand the number of dispensaries allowed in the city from two to four, according to commission staff.
The commission's thumbs up is necessary because the part of the city that's zoned for commercial cannabis businesses, including manufacturing, distribution, testing, and retail businesses, falls within the its coastal commercial and coastal industrial zones.
The green light from the commission comes as two commercial cannabis companies are working toward opening the first brick-and-mortar medical dispensaries in the city. At a Jan. 22 meeting, the Grover Beach City Council approved development applications and commercial medical cannabis permits for The Monarch and Natural Healing Center.
The Monarch will be located at 239 South 3rd St. and feature 1,686 square feet of retail space, as well as 675 square feet for manufacturing uses and 2,892 feet for storage and delivery.
The Monarch did not respond to a request from New Times asking when the dispensary would be open to the public.
Natural Healing Center, the second business to receive a commercial cannabis permit, will be located at 998 Huston St., and include a 4,141-square-foot retail space, 4,083 square feet for manufacturing, a 4,628-square-foot space for cultivation, and 5,133 square feet for storage and distribution. Natural Healing Center executive team member Helios Dayspring told New Times that the company plans to open the dispensary by April 15. Δ