City Council to consider changes to South Lake Tahoe cannabis ordinance

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - In 2022, the South Lake Tahoe City Council considered a change to the local cannabis ordinance that would allow on-site consumption at the four permitted retail businesses in town. At the time, they expressed concerns about allowing onsite consumption as there were no robust alternative transportation options available for customers who may become impaired, and there were no measurable limits for testing cannabis impairment while driving, unlike alcohol.

The council said they'd look at the ordinance again in 2023, and that is on the agenda for Tuesday's 5:30 p.m. council meeting.

At this time, the permitted businesses with delivery are Tahoe Wellness Center, Embarc Tahoe, Cannablue, and Tahoe Green. The City terminated Perfect Union SLT’s Development Agreement and Cannabis Use Permit on June 15, 2021, and microbusiness Redefining Organics did not renew its permit by the Nov. 9, 2023 deadline, according to the council's agenda for Nov. 21.

In 2022, discussion at the council meeting included talk of parents not wanting to use cannabis in front of their children would have a safe space to consume cannabis outside of the home. The discussion also included another benefit, providing an alternative to reduce illegal consumption in public and reduce smoking or vaping by visitors in hotel rooms. The main concern with on-site consumption expressed was customers leaving after consuming cannabis products and driving while impaired.

If the council follows the planning commission's recommendation, an updated ordinance would allow permitted retail outlets to have on-site consumption with the following requirements:
- Must have a state license as a cannabis retailer or microbusiness with a retail component
- Access is restricted to customers aged 21 and up
- No alcohol or tobacco may be sold or consumed on the premises
- Consumption of cannabis cannot be visible from a public place or non-restricted area
- Hours of consumption operation to end by 2:00 a.m. with sales to end by 10:00 p.m. as required by state law

Washoe County commissioners turned down on-site consumption this past summer, citing the same concerns from South Lake Tahoe's 2022 meeting on the matter. Some cities in California are beginning to add on-site consumption.

Other items on the agenda include giving the South Shore Transportation Management Association an additional $500K for local transportation, a presentation on the Multi-Family Dwelling (MFD) Inspection and Single Room Occupancy (SRO) Programs, and a report on enforcement of illegal vacation home rentals. They will also be discussing 2024 ballot additions of an increase to the tourist occupancy tax and moving South Lake Tahoe from general law city to a charter city.

The council meeting will be held at council chambers at the airport, and can also be viewed online. For the agenda and participation instructions, visit https://cityofslt.us/84/Watch-City-CouncilCommission-Meetings.