Redwood City seeks input from residents about marijuana regulation

BY EMILY MIBACH
Daily Post Staff Writer

Redwood City officials are asking residents to answer a seven-question survey on whether the city should allow marijuana businesses in the city.

The results of the survey will be part of the information given to the City Council at a meeting where it will discuss marijuana regulations, said city spokeswoman Meghan Horrigan.

The discussion is tentatively slated for a meeting in October in which the council will talk about how to regulate commercial marijuana growing, manufacturing and processing, as well as personal outdoor cannabis growth, and whether to allow pot shops.

The council will also discuss marijuana deliveries into the city and whether a sales tax should be considered for cannabis. The survey can be taken at http://tinyurl.com/yc9gfjss. In June, council members said they are not interested in allowing pot shops in the city.

Now that marijuana has been legalized by California voters, retailers can apply for licenses to sell marijuana beginning Jan. 1.

But cities can ban such stores or impose taxes on marijuana. Palo Alto, San Mateo and Belmont have decided to ban retail marijuana. San Carlos, East Palo Alto, Woodside, Burlingame and Foster City have all put interim bans on pot shops and plan on revisiting the question.

San Carlos is the only mid-Peninsula city seriously considering allowing marijuana-related businesses like manufacturing, nurseries, testing and distribution centers to set up shop.