Last week, Napa City Council voted 4-1 for city staff to prepare an amendment to the city’s Cannabis Ordinance to allow for retail sales of cannabis products to anyone age 21 or older. From here, the decision will go to Napa’s Planning Commission for approval. If approved by the commission, the amendment would return to the Napa City Council for a final approval vote and would come into effect 30 days following.
It’s been about five years since recreational cannabis use was legalized in California in 2016 as a result of Proposition 64. Though 57% of state residents — and 61% of Napa County voters — voted to approve the law, most California cities still don’t allow adult-use sales. Napa has allowed medical sales of cannabis for the past few years.
Most council members said they supported the change and a few had questions about how the shift from medical to retail sales will be carried out. Discussions about taxation rates, licensing for businesses, impact on economic recovery, and public health is ongoing.
Mayor Scott Sedgley said he supported the amendment. Sedgley states, “Impacts can be determined and dealt with. If there’s a bad player among cannabis retailers, the city can address them directly.” He also said overtaxing cannabis will keep the unpermitted industry alive. “We’ve discussed this to death across the state, believe me,” Sedgley said. Will Napa see retail cannabis sales in the near future? The next few months will tell.