Business

Medical and Adult Use Cannabis

Print
Share & Bookmark, Press Enter to show all options, press Tab go to next option
Font Size: + -

Medical Cannabis Businesses

Measure Z, Citizen's Medical Cannabis Initiative of 2017, was a citizen’s initiative that qualified for the November 2018 ballot through the California elections code process.  Vista voters passed Measure Z at the November 6, 2018 General Election, with 53.81% of voters voting in favor of the measure.  Measure Z enacted Vista Municipal Code (“VMC”) Chapter 5.94, Medical Cannabis Dispensaries, in its entirety.  In accordance with VMC § 5.94.170.B, the City Manager has promulgated regulations and procedures to implement and administer the Chapter. 

VMC 5.94 allows for one medical cannabis storefront per 10,000 (or fraction thereof) residents of the City, as determined by the last Federal Census or as determined by the latest population estimate by the Department of Finance of the State of California, whichever is higher.  There are currently 10 medical cannabis storefronts operating in the City, the maximum allowed based on current population estimates. 

 

Adult Use Cannabis Businesses

On June 22, 2021, the City Council adopted an ordinance to allow a validly licensed medical cannabis dispensary licensee, in the same physical space as the medical cannabis dispensary, to co-locate a retail commercial adult use cannabis business.  The ordinance went into effect on July 23, 2021, enacting Vista Municipal Code Chapter 5.95.  Retailers must apply for and receive a license from the City of Vista, as well as a license from the California State Department of Cannabis Control, prior to conducting adult use retail. All 10 medical cannabis storefronts are also licensed for adult use cannabis sales.

 

Resources

 

Forms for current operators

 

History

Original Measure Z Implementation Page - History