dispensary
Embarc Tahoe dispensary now open in South Lake Tahoe
Submitted by paula on Sun, 07/05/2020 - 1:34pm
SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The first cannabis dispensary to operate under the new City of South Lake Tahoe rules and regulations is now open.
Embarc Tahoe has opened its doors and held an official ribbon-cutting ceremony Friday with Mayor Jason Collin, Mayor Pro Tem Tamara Wallace, members of the Embarc Tahoe team and the South Tahoe Chamber of Commerce.
Owner Christy Wilson moved into what was once Tahoe Teriyaki and has since been several different businesses.
Cell tower and 56-acre project in South Lake Tahoe top full agenda for City Council
Submitted by paula on Thu, 01/09/2020 - 6:49pm
SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The first meeting of the new year for the South Lake Tahoe City Council will take place on Tuesday, January 14. They will start off with two closed session meetings to discuss the interim city manager position, one on Friday, January 10 at 3:00 p.m. and again on Tuesday at 8:00 a.m., prior to the start of their regular meeting.
South Lake Tahoe cannabis application scores announced - next step safety permits
Submitted by paula on Thu, 06/06/2019 - 11:17pm
SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - After 21 applications for cannabis retail, cultivation and micro-business licenses in South Lake Tahoe were received, reviewed, evaluated and scored, the City has announced the chosen six.
The top applicants are invited to apply for a special public safety license and negotiate a formal development agreement with the City. By fall, three retail permits, two microbusiness permits, and one cultivation permit will be awarded.
City of South Lake Tahoe and Tahoe Wellness Cooperative reach settlement
Submitted by paula on Tue, 04/02/2019 - 5:33pm
SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - An agreement has been reached between the City of South Lake Tahoe and Tahoe Wellness Cooperative (TWC) after over two years of court proceedings between the two.
During the closed session portion of Tuesday's City Council meeting, the four councilmembers allowed to participate voted unanimously to accept the signed agreement between the City and TWC. Councilmember Cody Bass had to recuse himself from voting since he is the owner and president of TWC.
South Lake Tahoe City Council on a delayed start Tuesday
Submitted by paula on Mon, 02/04/2019 - 8:08pm
SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Due to the current blizzard, the South Lake Tahoe City Council meeting on Tuesday, February 5 will start two hours late at 11:00 a.m. The closed session portion of the meeting will start at 10:30 a.m.
City officials said this delayed start will allow attendees to get to the meeting safely.
There are 15 items on the agenda including the final vote on a cannabis use ordinance and first reading on a mobile vending ordinance.
Closed session for South Lake Tahoe City Council: Measure T and Tahoe Wellness lawsuits
Submitted by paula on Mon, 01/07/2019 - 4:40am
SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - A special closed session meeting has been called for City Council on Tuesday, January 8, 2019 at 8:30 a.m. There are two agenda items, both involving conferences with legal counsel.
Cannabis ordinance may be in place in South Lake Tahoe by March 2019
Submitted by paula on Tue, 12/11/2018 - 5:14pm
SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The new city council had to tackle the big issue of a cannabis ordinance during their first meeting together on Tuesday, an issue that had been before the previous council numerous times. Two versions of an ordinance were presented but neither passed muster in the eyes of the council and they hope to have one that addresses their issues come before them at their January 15, 2019 meeting.
Cannabis ordinance up for vote at Thursday's Planning Commission
Submitted by paula on Thu, 11/08/2018 - 12:41pm
The City of South Lake Tahoe Planning Commission are expected to vote on the new cannabis ordinance during their meeting on Thursday, November 9 at 3:00 p.m.
The new ordinance will repeal and replace Article X of the City Code.
With what looks a City Council with three new members, the ordinance will most likely go before them during their first meeting on December 11, 2018. If Cody Bass, the president of Tahoe Wellness Cooperative and South Lake Tahoe's medical dispensary, holds on to the third council seat he will have to recuse himself from the discussion and vote.
Bass: Sale goes through on Bijou Shopping Center
Submitted by paula on Thu, 10/18/2018 - 10:47pm
SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - U.S. Bank, Tahoe Wellness Cooperative (TWC) and Patricia Olson won't be in court Friday afternoon as originally scheduled.
"The bank is satisfied," said Cody Bass, executive director of TWC. "They have withdrawn receivership because they no longer own the building."
Cannabis ordinance conversation goes from anger to compromise
Submitted by paula on Mon, 10/08/2018 - 11:12pm
SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - After a referendum to put a halt to the South Lake Tahoe cannabis ordinance was successful, a meeting held Monday was to work through the points of the ordinance Cody Bass and Tahoe Wellness Cooperative took issue with.
Led by the City Council representatives Austin Sass and Brooke Laine, members of the original cannabis workgroup, Cody Bass and some members of the public, about two dozen in total, spent three hours trying to come up direction for the city attorney to use in creating a new ordinance.
Referedum against South Lake Tahoe cannabis ordinance gets enough signatures
Submitted by paula on Fri, 09/28/2018 - 11:09pm
SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - There will be no legal sales of adult-use marijuana in South Lake Tahoe until at least 2019 after the referendum against the City's Cannabis Ordinance passed. Assistant City Clerk Sue Blankenship certified the results of the sample signature count by the El Dorado County Elections Department and now it's the City Council's turn.
Next steps for South Lake Tahoe's cannabis ordinance
Submitted by paula on Wed, 09/26/2018 - 9:38am
The City of South Lake Tahoe was set to start accepting development agreement applications for the six cannabis licenses up for grabs after City Council approved a cannabis ordinance on August 21, 2018.
That is on hold after 1,687 signatures were gathered and submitted to the South Lake Tahoe city clerk's office to prevent the ordinance from taking effect for now. Only 1,019 signatures were needed but those collecting the signatures wanted to make sure they had enough.
South Lake Tahoe cannabis sales could be delayed with possible referendum
Submitted by paula on Fri, 09/14/2018 - 11:54pm
SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - September 21, 2018 is the date the City of South Lake Tahoe will start accepting development agreements for the six cannabis licenses up for grabs after City Council approved a cannabis ordinance on August 21, 2018.
That is, unless a group spearheaded by Cody Bass of Tahoe Wellness Cooperative and his attorney James Anthony gets enough signatures to stop the process.
Cannabis ordinance up for final vote at South Lake Tahoe City Council meeting
Submitted by paula on Fri, 08/17/2018 - 9:42pm
The South Lake Tahoe City Council will be continuing their July 17 discussion and voting on the new cannabis ordinance at their next meeting on Tuesday, August 21.
If approved, the new ordinance will replace the existing medical marijuana ordinance.
To enter the cannabis industry in South Lake Tahoe, businesses will have to obtain a Use Permit, a Development Agreement and a Public Safety License.
No more than two retailers, two microbusinesses and two cultivators. No person can own more than one cannabis business, and no more than one cannabis business can exist on a lot or parcel.
Approval of cannabis ordinance in South Lake Tahoe greeted by applause
Submitted by paula on Mon, 07/02/2018 - 11:10pm
A unanimous vote of the South Lake Tahoe City Council brought applause from the audience during Monday’s special meeting. It has been months of expert testimony, community input, committee meetings, and almost two dozen public meetings that led to Monday’s approval of two new cannabis ordinances.
“You have done a remarkable job,” said local resident Oliver Starr on the Council’s sorting out what will be best for the community. Starr said they created an ordinance that is clean, safe and reputable.
Special South Lake Tahoe City Council meeting Monday
Submitted by paula on Sun, 07/01/2018 - 4:19pm
Event Date:
July 2, 2018 - 9:00am
There will be a special meeting of the South Lake Tahoe City Council on Monday, June 2 starting at 9:00 a.m. in Council Chambers at the airport.
Cannabis is the topic of the main reason for the meeting, both a vote on a tax measure for the November ballot and a public hearing on the zoning and regulations of adult use cannibus businesses and the medical marijuana dispensary.
Full signature count needed for medical marijuana dispensary initative
Submitted by paula on Fri, 06/29/2018 - 10:58pm
For the second time this week, a group gathering signatures to get initiatives on November's ballot has failed to get past the first phase of signature validation.
On Friday, the El Dorado County Elections Department said the group attempting to grandfather in the existing medical marijuana dispensary in South Lake Tahoe and allow them to sell adult use marijuana failed the first count of a sample 500 signatures.
The Tahoe Wellness Cooperative at 3445 Lake Tahoe Boulevard is the only medical marijuana dispensary in the City limits.
Could South Lake Tahoe become the Napa Valley of cannabis?
Submitted by paula on Wed, 04/18/2018 - 11:52amCould South Lake Tahoe become the Napa Valley of cannabis? Could a new slogan be "Made in Tahoe, Enjoyed in California?" Or will Tahoe weed be world famous?
These are all possible, and the desire of many entrepreneurs, but the South Lake Tahoe City Council wants regulations around the cannabis industry to be done correctly, and thus slowly, to prevent unseen issues that could arise as they develop the first ordinance for adult use cannabis in South Lake Tahoe.
Tahoe Wellness Cooperative given "breath of life"
Submitted by paula on Tue, 03/27/2018 - 10:15pm
Tahoe Wellness Cooperative (TWC), the only medicinal marijuana collective in South Lake Tahoe, was given the boost they needed Tuesday during a special SLT City Council meeting.
Cody Bass, the nonprofit's executive director, has been unable to purchase many products for this business since retail sales of marijuana have been allowed in the state of California. Those businesses are now only allowed to sell to others with a license.
City of South Lake Tahoe to host cannabis workshop
Submitted by paula on Wed, 02/14/2018 - 11:18pm
Event Date:
February 20, 2018 - 5:00pm
After Tuesday's normally scheduled 9:00 a.m. meeting, they will move to the Tahoe Beach Retreat & Lodge for an evening Cannabis Workshop to discuss upcoming regulations concerning the sales of adult-use cannabis in South Lake Tahoe. They moved to the larger venue due to expected participation.
On February 20, from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., members of the public can give their input on what an ordinance concerning the sales of cannabis in city limits should look like. Besides council members there will also be representative of the Planning Commission and Cannabis Subcommittee.
South Lake Tahoe cannabis discussion to move to evening meeting
Submitted by paula on Tue, 02/06/2018 - 10:02pm
The Cannabis Community Committee gave a presentation to the South Lake Tahoe City Council Tuesday, outlining the work they've done and recommendations for the City's ordinance for cannabis sales.
Fifteen members of the community came together as the committee and met with Mayor Pro Tem Tom Davis, Councilwoman Brooke Laine, Police Chief Brian Uhler, City Attorney Nira Doherty and City Staff member Lisa Watson to discuss and research issues facing legal sales of cannabis in the city limits.
Washoe County holding public workshop on recreational marijuana
Submitted by paula on Mon, 02/05/2018 - 1:48pm
With the voter-approved legalization of marijuana in Nevada in 2016, local governments have been working to implement requirements of state law. Washoe County is seeking public input related to zoning, business licensing and public safety of legalized marijuana in unincorporated Washoe County.
Currently there is one dispensary in Incline Village at Lake Tahoe with Washoe County locations in Reno, Sparks and Sun Valley.
Tahoe Wellness Cooperative reopens after closing doors for two days
Submitted by paula on Mon, 01/08/2018 - 3:04pm
1/8/18 6:00PM Update: It has been confirmed that Tahoe Wellness Center has reopened their doors for sales of medicinal marijuana. It is unknown at this time why they closed as both the State and the City did not ask him to close.
* * *
As of Monday, January 8, 2018, Tahoe Wellness Cooperative (TWC) in South Lake Tahoe is closed, but the reason for the closure differs between the parties involved.
Cannabis urgency ordinance continues in South Lake Tahoe
Submitted by paula on Tue, 12/12/2017 - 2:05pm
"This is not about making money, its about doing it right," said Mayor Pro Tem Tom Davis during Tuesday's City Council vote on cannabis sales in South Lake Tahoe.
Davis was speaking about their decision to approve an urgency ordinance and to take their time in creating the City's ordinance for legal cannabis sales in South Lake Tahoe. The moratorium will remain in effect for 45 days and expires on January 21, 2018 unless the City Council extends it before then.
First foray into South Lake Tahoe regulations for marijuana growing and selling
Submitted by paula on Mon, 07/10/2017 - 1:59pm
SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Since the passage of Proposition 64 by voters in California in September, the state, cities and counties are figuring out how to move forward in allowing, or not allowing, storefront sales in their communities.
During Tuesday's South Lake Tahoe City Council meeting, the City will look at their City Code 6.55 Article X which is for marijuana cultivation and medical marijuana dispensaries.
Tahoe Town Hall: Understanding Recreational Cannibis
Submitted by paula on Tue, 04/11/2017 - 8:28am
Event Date:
April 19, 2017 - 6:00pm
What does recreational cannabis mean for the Lake Tahoe community? A chance to discuss the passage of California's Proposition 64 and Nevada's Question 2 will be held on Wednesday, April 19 at the Tahoe Beach Retreat Conference Center from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
This will be an installment of the Tahoe Regional Young Professionals (TRYP) Town Hall Series that focuses on bringing the community together for civic discussions.
Council to discuss marijuana ordinance for South Lake Tahoe
Submitted by paula on Sun, 02/05/2017 - 6:57pm
With the passage of Proposition 64 in November, South Lake Tahoe and other cities around the state are taking a look at their codes and regulations to be consistent with requirements that came with the legalization of marijuana for personal use. Californians voted 57.13 percent in favor of the proposition. On a local level, the vote was very close in El Dorado County with 50.07 percent of the voters against the legalization of marijuana.
South Lake Tahoe Mayor Sass: City Council, the TWC, VHR's and more
Submitted by paula on Mon, 01/02/2017 - 1:14pm
South Lake Tahoe, Calif. - I could not be more honored and excited to represent this community as your Mayor. Having served on City Council for two years, I have learned that there are deeply passionate and extremely knowledgeable citizens and fellow council members who care immensely about our community and the decisions made by our City.
Medical marijuana dispensary told they must close their doors; Owner says no
Submitted by paula on Tue, 12/13/2016 - 11:11pm
"We will continue to stay open," said Cody Bass, founder and executive director of the Tahoe Wellness Cooperative after being told by the City Council Tuesday that he no longer has a Medical Marijuana Dispensary Permit to operate in South Lake Tahoe. "We are going to take this to the end."
One of his lawyers, James Anthony added, "They will be reviewing this decision in Superior Court."
Tahoe Wellness Cooperative in a legal battle with landlord, dispensary license at jeopardy
Submitted by paula on Mon, 12/12/2016 - 9:49pm
There is a legal battle in South Lake Tahoe that has put a long-time resident against the owner of the City's lone medical dispensary, Tahoe Wellness Cooperative (TWC).
SLT City Council agenda includes marijuana, VHRs and craft shows
Submitted by paula on Mon, 12/12/2016 - 5:17pm
A full agenda awaits the new City Council as soon as the two new members are sworn in on Tuesday, December 13.
The 9:00 a.m. meeting in the council chambers at the Lake Tahoe Airport starts with the Administeration of Oath to Brooke Laine and Jason Collin and will be followed by a presentation by South Lake Tahoe Police Chief Brian Uhler on what the passage of Proposition 64 means for the city. He will be joined by others from Barton and the Drug Free Coalition who will discuss the implications on the community with increased access to marijuana.
Wellness Coop owner on proposed "Control, Regulate & Tax Adult Use of Marijuana Act"
Submitted by paula on Fri, 03/18/2016 - 5:02pmMountain Resort Television reporter Ashley Lindner interviews the Founder/Executive Director of the Tahoe Wellness Corporative, Cody Bass about the Control, Regulate, & Tax Adult Use of Marijuana Act. The Tahoe Wellness Co-Op is South Lake Tahoe's first and, currently only, medicinal dispensary.
Two million dollars worth of cannabis confiscated in drug bust
Submitted by paula on Thu, 10/01/2015 - 7:56pm
A five month long investigation into the Highlands Health and Wellness marijuana dispensary in Shingle Springs uncovered what authorities say was a multi-million dollar criminal operation.
The El Dorado County Sheriff's Office (EDSO) centered their investigation on tax evasion, money laundering, conspiracy and the commercial distribution of marijuana for profit.
County responds to search warrant served at Tahoe Wellness Cooperative
Submitted by paula on Tue, 06/02/2015 - 9:08pm
Search warrants were served on Monday at five locations related to Tahoe Wellness Cooperative (TWC) and its owner Cody Bass. Staff from eight agencies spent hours at the South Lake Tahoe medical marijuana dispensary, pulling out boxes and containers of cannabis and records.
Pot dispensary sues El Dorado County over raid
Submitted by paula on Mon, 03/30/2015 - 10:58am
The former operator and members of a Diamond Springs marijuana dispensary are suing El Dorado County to recover seized marijuana, medical records and financial documents taken in a Sheriff’s Department raid last year.
The Pure Life Collective has been shuttered since the Nov. 17, 2014, raid, which resulted in the arrest of dispensary operator Kelly Chiusano. No charges have been filed.
Pot Smoke And Mirrors: Vaporizer Pens Hide Marijuana Use
Submitted by paula on Tue, 01/27/2015 - 9:04pm
It's a sunny afternoon at Kelly's Collective, a medical marijuana dispensary in Los Angeles, and Nikki Esquibel is getting stoned. But you wouldn't know it.
The 19-year-old, who has a medical prescription for marijuana, is "smoking" pot with a handheld vaporizer, or a vape pen. It's sleek, black, and virtually indistinguishable from a high-end e-cigarette.
That's the point, says Esquibel. "I use it mostly around my neighborhood. It's easy to hide." The vapor coming from the device doesn't even have much of an odor.
Permit for South Lake Tahoe 420 Spring Event Denied by City Council
Submitted by paula on Wed, 04/16/2014 - 11:08am
After two hours of discussion at the South Lake Tahoe City Council meeting on Tuesday, the event permit for the Tahoe Wellness Coop's 4th Annual 420 T.W.C. Cup was denied for a second time.
South Lake Tahoe City Councilwoman Angela Swanson Cleared of Wrongdoing by DA's Office
Submitted by paula on Wed, 01/22/2014 - 1:31pm
The El Dorado County District Attorney's Office cleared South Lake Tahoe City Councilwoman Angela Swanson of any criminal wrongdoing in a letter sent to the City Council.
No public announcement was made to the media and the DA's office hasn't responded to a request by SouthTahoeNow.com to see a copy of the letter.
South Lake Tahoe pot club owner sentenced to five years in federal prison; agrees to forfeit drug money
Submitted by Editor on Wed, 04/10/2013 - 1:30pmFormer City of Angels 2 pot club owner Gennaro "Gino" DiMatteo of South Lake Tahoe was sentenced to 5 years in federal prison Wednesday by U.S. District Judge Kimberly J. Mueller.
DiMatteo had pled guilty to a felony for marijuana trafficking on Jan. 9. As part of his plea agreement, DiMatteo agreed to forfeit more than $40,000 to the United States.
Former South Lake Tahoe pot club owner pleads guilty to federal trafficking charges
Submitted by Editor on Wed, 01/09/2013 - 11:07amGennaro "Gino" DiMatteo, 43, of South Lake Tahoe, pled guilty Wednesday to count two of the indictment, possession with the intent to distribute marijuana, United States Attorney Benjamin B. Wagner announced. DiMatteo is scheduled to be sentenced in April.
This case is the product of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the El Dorado County Sheriff’s Department, and the El Dorado County District Attorney’s Office. Assistant United States Attorney Jason Hitt is prosecuting the case.
DiMatteo pleads guilty to marijuana charge
Submitted by Anonymous on Wed, 01/09/2013 - 9:45amFormer South Lake Tahoe medical marijuana dispensary operator Gino DiMatteo pleaded guilty Wednesday to a single count of possession of marijuana with intent to distribute.As part of a plea agreeme...
DiMatteo requests new attorney
Submitted by Anonymous on Thu, 12/06/2012 - 5:02pmFormer South Lake Tahoe medical marijuana dispensary owner Gino DiMatteo has requested a new attorney to defend him against federal drug charges.DiMatteo requested Sacramento attorney Donald Heller...
Arrest, smell could shutter marijuana dispensary
Submitted by Anonymous on Thu, 11/29/2012 - 5:22pmThe last of three medical marijuana dispensaries in South Lake Tahoe could be forced to close if it can't tame the skunky smell of its offerings.On Wednesday, the city issued a notice to Tahoe Well...
DiMatteo indicted, city didn't complete background check
Submitted by Anonymous on Wed, 11/21/2012 - 4:48pmA federal grand jury indicted former South Lake Tahoe medical marijuana dispensary owner Gino DiMatteo on three counts Wednesday.The indictment charges DiMatteo with conspiracy to manufacture at le...
DiMatteo bail hearing scheduled
Submitted by Anonymous on Fri, 11/16/2012 - 5:19pmA federal court judge is scheduled to hear arguments regarding the release of former South Lake Tahoe medical marijuana dispensary owner Gino DiMatteo next week.A bail review hearing for DiMatteo i...
Bribery not included in DiMatteo charges
Submitted by Anonymous on Tue, 11/06/2012 - 3:51pmFederal prosecutors have formally charged former South Lake Tahoe medical marijuana dispensary owner Gennaro "Gino" DiMatteo with two weed-related crimes.In a criminal complaint unsealed Monday, Di...
Former South Lake Tahoe pot club owner Gino DiMatteo arrested on federal charges
Submitted by Anonymous on Fri, 11/02/2012 - 3:21pmFormer South Lake Tahoe medical marijuana dispensary owner Gennaro “Gino” DiMatteo faces federal charges after being arrested prior to a court hearing in Placerville Friday.
As DiMatteo entered the El Dorado County Superior Court's Department 7 courtroom during a recess about 2 p.m., a District Attorney's investigator told him they had to talk, took his arm and shuffled him over to a corner of the courtroom between the audience and where arguments are heard.
Marijuana dispensary fights closure
Submitted by Anonymous on Fri, 10/05/2012 - 4:29pmAlthough the former Third Street site of the City of Angels 2 medical marijuana collective sat shuttered Friday, the fight over the marijuana dispensary appears far from over.On Wednesday, attorney...
LA council votes to repeal pot dispensary ban
Submitted by Anonymous on Thu, 10/04/2012 - 12:54pmLOS ANGELES - The Los Angeles City Council reversed course Tuesday and repealed a ban on pot shops that it passed just two months ago to shutter hundreds of medical marijuana storefronts.Council me...
DiMatteo released from custody
Submitted by Anonymous on Thu, 09/13/2012 - 3:31pmFormer South Lake Tahoe medical marijuana dispensary owner Gino DiMatteo has been released from police custody, according to El Dorado County Sheriff's Office records.DiMatteo, who previously ran t...
