The City of Stockton held a meeting on May 16, 2025, to discuss significant changes to its medical cannabis ordinance. The primary focus was on addressing confusion surrounding the application process for medical dispensaries, which has reportedly hindered potential applicants from moving forward.

City officials noted that the current ordinance only pertains to medical dispensaries, clarifying that recreational marijuana dispensaries and related activities are not under discussion at this time. The state is still developing regulations for recreational cannabis, and the city plans to collaborate with state officials and the League of Cities to align on any new guidelines expected later this year or early next year.

The meeting highlighted the impact of Measure P, which previously lifted a prohibition on dispensaries and allowed for the establishment of additional dispensaries and cultivation sites. Specifically, Measure P increased the total number of dispensaries from two to four and permitted four cultivation sites. However, it maintained restrictions on ownership, preventing dispensary operators from also owning cultivation operations and vice versa.

A key proposal discussed was to increase the cap on cannabis businesses from four to six. This change aims to provide clarity in the application process and ensure equal opportunities for all applicants. The city staff recommended this adjustment to facilitate a smoother application process while maintaining existing locational restrictions for dispensaries and cultivation sites.

The meeting also included public comments, with Howard Seligman, a former participant in cannabis discussions, emphasizing the importance of aligning the number of conditional use permit applications with the available operator permits. This recommendation aims to streamline the process and ensure that it reflects the current legal landscape.

Overall, the proposed changes are intended to enhance the clarity and efficiency of the application process for medical cannabis businesses in Stockton, while also preparing for future developments in cannabis regulation. The council will consider these recommendations in upcoming sessions.