HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-02-13 Item 1GFrom:Steven Wijatyk
To:Ron deHarte; Jeffrey Bernstein; Grace Garner; Naomi Soto; David Ready; City Clerk; Brenda Pree
Subject:Item 1G, cannabis equity grant
Date:Thursday, February 13, 2025 2:27:05 PM
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Good afternoon, honorable Mayor and City Council,
I just came across item 1G regarding a substantial cannabis equity grant. While I applaud the
city for their hard work in securing this grant for cannabis, I think it deserves discussion as to
how this money will be utilized. It also deserves discussion as to the status of the current
social equity license awardees, and the current state of all cannabis business types in Palm
Springs.
Is the money to assist the “(1) operating and (3) non-operating” social equity applicants
mentioned in the staff report? Or is the money to assist new cannabis social equity applicants?
Since there is a current moratorium on new dispensaries, will the grant extend to other areas of
cannabis business, such as Cultivation?
As of the last stakeholder meeting, there’s only one licensed cannabis cultivator operating in
Palm Springs. I think the zoning restrictions that were imposed a few years ago, such as
barring cultivation from the M1- industrial zone, have discouraged new cannabis cultivation
from developing in Palm Springs. These restrictions were understandable at the time,
considering there were some operators that did not care to follow odor control protocols.
However, since then, the problem operators have left, and the technologies and best practices
for controlling odors in cannabis cultivation have improved significantly.
I am the owner of Reefer Madness Dispensary and Lounge in Palm Springs. I support social
equity for cannabis so long as it’s planned carefully to provide a true social benefit.
My family in Arizona qualified under Arizona’s cannabis social equity program 3 years ago,
but we never received the benefit of the program since it was not carefully thought out to
award those who most need and deserve it. We never qualified for social equity in California,
due to having never lived in California before starting my business in California.
02/13/2025
Public Comment
Item 1G
Therefore, I encourage discussion, public input, and careful planning surrounding these
cannabis social equity programs so that the program truly fulfils its purpose. Please feel free
to contact me with any questions or concerns.
Respectfully,
Steven Wijatyk
Owner
(602) 618-8127
www.reefermadnesslounge.com
02/13/2025
Public Comment
Item 1G