Update to the City's Commercial Cannabis Program
On Tuesday, April 24, the City Council considered two applicants who are seeking to obtain a commercial cannabis business permit from the City. This application process is the result of a public policy discussion that started in August 2017, in which the City Council voted to approve a regulatory framework that allows for the commercial cultivation, manufacturing, distribution, testing and dispensing of medical cannabis in the city limits. The application process opened up in January 2018, in which eight applicants submitted for the opportunity to be awarded a business permit from the City. After a four phase evaluation and vetting process that ended in April 2018, two applicants were recommended by the City Manager to the City Council at Tuesday night's meeting. More about the city's commercial cannabis program can be found at www.unioncity.org/cannabis.
In order to get to this point, the City evaluated the applicants on their proposed location, site plan, floor plan, security plan, safety and environmental plans and community benefits plan, to name a few. Each applicant underwent a thorough review of their criminal, employment and financial history by Union City Police. The final two applicants and their associated locations are: (1) Eden Campus Holdings, LLC at 30540 Union City Boulevard and (2) Jiva Life, LLC at 29400 Kohoutek Way, Suite 100. More about these businesses and their proposals can also be found at www.unioncity.org/cannabis.
A public notice was mailed out 500 feet around the businesses to notify local neighbors regarding the City Manager's recommendation and public hearing that was held on Tuesday night. Here are the results of the public hearing:
- The City Council declared intent to award Eden Campus Holdings, LLC with four business permits to operate a medical cannabis facility that cultivates, manufactures, distributes and dispenses medical cannabis. Eden Campus Holdings, LLC will move forward into a building and development phase and work with the City to carry out conditions of approval. Eden Campus Holdings, LLC will also move forward with a neighborhood engagement process.
- The City Council voted to follow back up with a new public hearing process for Jiva Life, LLC to be tentatively held in June 2018. Additional information will be gathered and presented to the City Council regarding the Jiva Life, LLC proposal at that time.