Case Results:
The law surrounding medical marijuana in California can be complicated and confusing for patients and their caregivers — particularly with regard to growing collectives and medical marijuana dispensaries. If you have questions regarding medical marijuana dispensaries and collectives, contact an experienced medical marijuana attorney to learn more.
Call Jessica McElfresh today at (858) 756-7107 for more information.
Free consultation for criminal defense cases only. Cannabis business consultation requires a fee.
In 2015, the California State legislature passed three bills (Assembly Bills 243 and 266, and Senate Bill 643) that create a licensing and regulatory framework for medical marijuana. The goal of these regulations was to clarify the gray market created by the Compassionate Use Act of 1996 – the first time medical marijuana was legalized in the United States. Together known as the Medical Marijuana Regulation and Safety Act, the new regulations took effect on January 1, 2016.
Later that year, Senate Bill 837 was passed. It created extra regulations and penalties for medical marijuana licensees who fail to follow the letter of the law. Under this new legal framework, the licensing and regulation of the cultivation, manufacture, distribution, transportation, lab testing, and sale of medical cannabis was divided among several agencies.
In 2021, following the signing of California Assembly Bill 141, licensing was consolidated to the Department of Cannabis Control (DCC). The DCC now handles all types of licensing, license renewals, and other cannabis regulations in the state.
Since January 1, 2018, state level dispensaries have been issuing licenses. To obtain a state dispensary license, you must meet the following requirements:
The DCC may take into account your criminal history when determining your license eligibility. For example, a felony drug offense or violent crime conviction makes you ineligible. A marijuana business attorney can further explain the eligibility criteria and guide you through the requirements.
The DCC recommends that people seeking to open a dispensary for the sale of either medical or recreational marijuana should look first to their local governments. Indeed, both Proposition 64 and the MCRSA give counties and cities the ability to decide whether they will issue permits for dispensaries within their jurisdiction. If your jurisdiction is issuing licenses for dispensaries, you can obtain one while waiting for the state-level regulations to go into effect.
In San Diego, it took around 20 years for the first medical marijuana dispensary to open. Only 36 dispensaries – or collectives as they are called under San Diego County law – are allowed to operate within the territory. Unfortunately, growing fears about the effect of marijuana on local communities prompted the county government to issue a ban on the establishment of any more medical marijuana collectives or other facilities within its unincorporated territories.
San Diego City has yet to develop a new permitting process and zoning plan for recreational cannabis businesses. Fortunately, incorporated towns and cities within San Diego County may continue to permit and regulate marijuana businesses. Each city has its own requirements and zoning restrictions which a lawyer can help you navigate.
If you’re interested in starting a medical marijuana collective, you face a lengthy bureaucratic process in San Diego. A medical marijuana lawyer with experience guiding patients and caregivers through the process of filing necessary business paperwork and permit applications can help make sure you’re in compliance with all of the rules so that the process goes more smoothly.
Your attorney can discuss with you the zoning requirements for a medical marijuana cooperative and help to determine whether your proposed site meets any criteria set forth under your local zoning laws. In a constantly evolving industry, a lawyer can keep you informed of any changes that might impact your dispensary business plan.
Jessica McElfresh is an experienced San Diego medical marijuana lawyer who has represented medical marijuana dispensaries and collectives in the area, and she can make sure that your rights under California and San Diego laws are protected through the process of starting your collective. She can also represent you at public hearings and public meetings to ensure your voice is heard.
Call (858) 756-7107 today to learn how to get started.
This website is intended for informational purposes only. Use of this website does not create an attorney-client relationship. Free consultation for criminal defense cases only. Cannabis business consultation requires a fee.
"*" indicates required fields
