Santa Barbara County to Ask Community About Cannabis Storefronts

A total of six cannabis storefronts will open in areas controlled by Santa Barbara County — in other words, outside its cities — and the public is invited to comment on the business application criteria and neighborhood compatibility. Six virtual meetings will take place on Wednesdays and Thursdays starting July 1, each focusing on one of the locations: Isla Vista, Santa Ynez, Toro Canyon/Summerland, Orcutt, Eastern Goleta Valley, and Los Alamos. Information on the merit criteria, licensing team, and how to attend the virtual meetings are at cannabis.countyofsb.org/retail.sbc.

In a 19-minute video, Steven Yee, a fiscal analyst with the CEO’s office, and Kathryn Lehr, a senior planner, go into detail about the complicated, three-step cannabis storefront application process. Each application is first reviewed for completeness and zoning compliance. They then go through a check against the requirements of the county Business License Ordinance, and a third-party consultant scores the business proposal. Applicants that succeed advance to an internal selection committee — including Planning, Fire, and Environmental Health — which reviews compliance with Neighborhood Compatibility Plans and other criteria. While that hoop is being leapt through, the applicant could finish the business license process.