San Diego is moving hard against its sprawling illegal cannabis delivery scene, with the City Council voting yesterday to ramp up penalties, open a narrow permitting lane for some delivery operations and hand licensed dispensaries fresh legal leverage against unpermitted rivals.
In a 7-0 vote, the council signed off on a package that raises fines for illegal cannabis activity to as much as $20,000 per day and up to $500,000 total, while keeping delivery-only businesses barred under local law. The new rules also let city-permitted storefronts pursue civil claims against unlicensed delivery operators. Councilmember Raul Campillo, who led the effort, argued that this activity goes on and on and on while the government agencies tasked with regulation are unable to enforce the law, according to The San Diego Union-Tribune.
New Permit, Same Ban On Delivery-Only Shops
The ordinance establishes a city permit for businesses that deliver cannabis into San Diego, but it pointedly keeps in place the city’s prohibition on delivery-only outfits that lack a brick-and-mortar storefront. The proposal moved out of the Economic Development and Intergovernmental Relations Committee late last year before landing at the full council, a trail documented on the City of San Diego meeting portal.
New Legal Ammo For Licensed Dispensaries…