SF Cannabis News - Increasing Amount Sold At Events + Moratorium On Retail

 

The San Francisco Office of Cannabis has posted amendments to increase the sales limits for events in the city. The move comes after efforts by Nina Parks, Supernova Women, Gift of Doja,  and main organizer planner for The Jardin de Hierba Buena, a cannabis garden featuring compliant cannabis sales and brand activations for attendees 21 and over. The Bay Area chapter of Americans for Safe Access (ASA) also sent a letter supporting the increase, and the Office of Cannabis responded by keeping the public comment on record for future forums regarding the proposal. 

The current limit of 7 grams per person at cannabis events has proven to be problematic for many reasons. For one, it limits the access to necessary medication for patients who need larger quantities to alleviate their medical conditions. This restriction has created a hardship for many patients who are forced to make multiple trips to dispensaries to purchase the amount of cannabis that they need to alleviate their symptoms.

Those who support the increase are encouraged to send their public comment to the office.

officeofcannabis@sfgov.org

However, there may soon be a moratorium on new retail cannabis stores in San Francisco. There are currently around 80 existing retail cannabis stores in the city, and another 31 have been approved and are under construction. There are also 80 more applicants in the queue, awaiting various levels of government approval. This has led to concerns that a wide-open door for new retail stores could lead to failures and crush small operators, leading to equity owners losing all that was promised.

Malcolm Weitz, equity CEO, has been quoted extensively on this issue. It is important for these issues to reach the public sphere, where extensive discussion can take place. Cannabis activists, equity owners, legacy SF medical cannabis stores, patient advocates, and the general public all have different views on the matter. It is essential to discuss these issues and contact your local SF supervisor to express your views.

The debate about the moratorium on new retail cannabis stores is ongoing. While ASA has opposed caps in the past, times have changed, and it is time to revisit the issue. It is necessary to have a lofty discussion around this matter before weighing in. When it comes to patient access, it is important to put the number of retail access points in perspective, especially when compared with pharmacies that are in almost every neighborhood.

Overall, these developments show that the cannabis industry in San Francisco is continually evolving, and there are still many discussions and debates that need to take place to ensure equity, fairness, and accessibility for all. As the cannabis industry continues to grow, it is essential to keep these issues at the forefront of the discussion to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to benefit from this emerging industry.