Monterey County Board of Supervisors discuss legalization of cannabis parlors

SALINAS, Calif. (KION-TV) The Monterey County Board of Supervisors discussed Tuesday whether cannabis parlors in unincorporated Monterey County should be legalized.

The Board of Supervisors received a presentation from Monterey County Cannabis Program Director Joanne Iwamoto, who presented the pros and cons of opening cannabis parlors in Monterey County.

Most executives are in favor of opening lounges in Monterey County. However, some were concerned about the capacity at the county level to regulate more commercial cannabis businesses.

District 2 Supervisor Glenn Church, representing Castroville and Aromas, said he didn’t want all the lounges in one place.

“I don’t want our motto to be ‘Come to the Northern District if you want to get high,'” Church said.

Ivanmoto said parlors would not be able to sell alcohol, tobacco, or non-cannabis products. Customers will be required to purchase cannabis on site and may not bring their own cannabis.

During her presentation, Ivanmoto talked about what other jurisdictions across the state license cannabis parlors with different types of regulations.

As an example, she cited a San Francisco ordinance that bans lounge operators from requiring employees to work where cannabis is smoked.

There are currently nine cannabis retailers in Monterey County. Six of these locations are in northern Monterey County, and three are in the Carmel Valley.

Ivanmoto also spoke about a state law proposed by 17th District Assemblyman Matt Haney. If AB-374 passes, it could allow cities to allow the sale of cannabis-free food and beverages. The law will also allow cannabis operators to open cannabis cafes.

The law could be heard by the state’s Business and Professions Committee in the next couple of weeks.

District 3 Supervisor Mary Adams said if cannabis parlors became legal, it could benefit Monterey County.

“I’m so worried about the complete collapse of our cannabis industry in the county,” Adams said. “Giving them this extra opportunity would be beneficial to the county and the industry.”

The Board of Supervisors directed the Monterey County Cannabis Program to continue its research and return with a proposed ruling on March 14.