San Diego works to level playing field in marijuana industry

SAN DIEGO — San Diego is working to interrupt down obstacles individuals face when getting into the marijuana trade. 

Town is hoping to stage the enjoying area for residents desirous to work within the marijuana enterprise or someday personal a dispensary.

“We’re desirous to have a dialog with our group about what the obstacles are and what the impacts of hashish criminalization have been on communities disproportionately impacted by the warfare on medicine,” mentioned Lara Gates, the Hashish Enterprise Deputy Director for San Diego.

Town needs to speak with individuals and households impacted by marijuana convictions and study what obstacles they face. 

Some individuals could must undergo an expungement course of to clear their document or reduce convictions. These conversations will occur at listening periods happening round San Diego. This contains Sherman Heights, North Park and Metropolis Heights.

“The areas chosen have been ones which have traditionally seen disinvestment,” she mentioned.

San Diego is allowed to have 36 dispensaries and Gates mentioned there are 10 dispensary permits left. 

Town is hoping to open the door and make it extra equitable for group members to get a license. Regardless of the very fact the drug is authorized for grownup leisure use, a majority of gross sales in San Diego are nonetheless performed illegally.

“80% of the hashish market is the legacy market right here in San Diego which implies it is unlawful. We’re actually attempting to broaden and open up avenues for folk nonetheless collaborating within the legacy market to change into a part of the authorized market,” she mentioned.

There can be eight in-person and one digital listening session. 

The primary session is Monday, Could 23 from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Sherman Heights Group Middle. Discover a full checklist of the listening periods, right here.

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