Just last week, the Coalinga City Council (California) voted on two local measures regarding marijuana and they both passed (nice to see government working for the people)!

The first to pass, in a 4-1 vote, allows compliant cannabis cultivation within city limits and it takes effect immediately. The second measure to pass was a proposal to sell the cities dormant prison to Ocean Grow Extracts (manufacturers of medical grade cannabis oil products).

The Claremont Custody Center was purchased for 4.1 million dollars. They plan to use the building to both to grow and process the marijuana.

Check out the video below, something similar might be happening in Colorado, too!

From the article:

“The city council is considering further ordinances that will allow dispensaries and deliveries to patients within its city limits in the near future. While some in the community were divided on these measures, the ability to pay off the cities almost 4 million in debt helped change a lot of minds. So they are taking each step cautiously to find ways of appeasing as much of their constituency as possible.”

The new ordinances also come with some very strict requirements for Ocean Grown (and any other companies interested in cultivating marijuana in Coalinga):

  • The owner assumes liability for the operation; it is solely responsible if the facility has any legal entanglements with individuals, law enforcement agencies or the U.S. government. Marijuana remains illegal under federal law.
  • All employees and private contractors must pass a background check and receive a permit from the city in order to work at a cultivation site. Owner keeps these records on file with the Coalinga Police Department.
  • The facility must be gated, locked, closed to the public and have 24-hour video surveillance that the Police Department has full access to.
  • Cultivation operations cannot post signage. Also, steps must be taken to control odor so that the cannabis smell does escape (seriously?).
  • Electronic tracking devices must be fixed to all cannabis plants.
  • Operations must be in full compliance with all building and fire safety codes. All requirements must be checked off by the police chief, fire chief and city planner at least 60 days before opening.
  • Permits can be revoked if a business owner is not compliant. That owner can appeal any punishment with the City Council.

The ordinances also come with a property tax which will pay the city $25 per square foot for the first 3,000 square feet and $10 per square foot for any space after that for each medical marijuana cultivation (considering the city is in serious debt, this must be welcome news to them). While Claremont is around 77,000 square feet, the city kept a portion of the prison grounds.

The conversion from former jailhouse to medical marijuana facility may take some time but at least 100 jobs will be created, with potentially more pending the companies success, so the wait is worth it. As ordinances change and there is more cannabis commerce this struggling community might see some prosperity in their area.

I assume every sees the irony? The building once used to imprisoning people for selling marijuana will now blossom into something beautiful where people can buy marijuana! I had to chuckle.

 

Source: Fresno Bee