The City of Pacific Grove opened a 30-day period for entrepreneurs to apply for a retail cannabis business license on Monday, Sept. 15. Applications are due by Oct. 15.
Only one retail cannabis store is allowed in the small city, a decision made by the Pacific Grove City Council in 2023, based on an advisory measure approved by a majority of voters in 2022.
Despite the support to bring retail cannabis to the city by voters, it took until June this year for the council to approve new regulations for reviewing applications and choosing a single operator.
Where a store may go is limited by the small town, which requires buffers around schools and day care centers. Locations are limited to commercial areas, mostly in the Forest Hill area and Central Avenue business district.
Potential operators must submit a variety of documents, including an affidavit of consent from a property owner or landlord, a lease agreement or letter of intent to lease and proof of insurance. They also must undergo a background check and submit a fee of $9,272 for processing the license application.
Evaluations of applications will be based on the operator's business plan, labor plan, neighborhood compatibility, security arrangements and location.
If more than one application meets the requirements, the city will hold a lottery to choose who gets the single license.
The winner will have 12 months to get a use permit approved, in addition to any other land use permits or other entitlements.
A full explanation of the evaluation criteria is available on the city's Retail Cannabis License page on its website.