Public invited to Cannabis Ordinance workshop on proposed changes

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - There will be a workshop on proposed changes to the South Lake Tahoe Cannabis Ordinance on Tuesday, June 22 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. via Zoom.

The City Council Cannabis Subcommittee (Mayor Pro Tem Devin Middlebrook and Councilmember John Friedrich) is hosting this workshop to present proposed changes to the City’s cannabis ordinance and receive feedback from community members.

Proposed changes include:

Allowing cannabis retailers to include on-site consumption lounges. In the original ordinance, it was stated that City Council would relook at the ban on on-site consumption after one year. Operators suggested they'd consider a shuttle service to reduce the chance of driving under the influence situations.

Allowing permittees to hold more than one Cannabis Use Permit. Currently, operators can only have one permit type. There are two cultivation and four manufacturing permits still available. A business could not hold more than one retail permit.

Increasing the allowable canopy size for indoor cultivation. It is currently at a maximum of 5,000 sq. ft. and it is being proposed to move up to 22,000 sq. ft. Those in the business say 5,000 sq. ft. is not enough space to be economically feasible and the 22,000 sq. ft. matches the size allowed by the state.

They will also consider a cannabis use tax. Would replace the development agreement fees as the agreements were meant to be phased out at some point. Any tax would have to be placed on the ballot. A study was last done in 2018 on the tax rates.

The current ordinance was adopted on February 5, 2019. Since that time three new retail businesses have opened under the ordinance and the previous medical marijuana dispensary, Tahoe Wellness Center, was able to move to an adult-use business for three years as they gain the necessary permits and zoning changes needed to operate under the new ordinance.

The ordinance and associated documents can be seen here - http://cityofslt.us/1116/Cannabis.

The meeting will be on Zoom at: https://zoom.us/j/96291449357.

To watch the City Council discussion on the possible changes, visit HERE and it is item 18.