Cannabis Business Licenses Available in Woodlake, CA

As of October 2, 2017, Medical and Recreational Cannabis Businesses can now submit applications in the City of Woodlake, CA.  Applications are being accepted in accordance with Woodlake Ordinance No. 611 and within approved zones in accordance with Woodlake Ordinance 612.
 
Woodlake is accepting application for the following Cannabis Businesses:
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• Cannabis Dispensary License Application - a facility where cannabis or cannabis products, are offered, either individually or in combination, for retail sale, including an establishment that engages in delivery of cannabis or cannabis products as part of a retail sale.
• Cannabis Cultivation License Application - any activity involving the planting, growing, harvesting, drying, curing, grading, or trimming of cannabis. “Cultivation” also includes nurseries.
• Cannabis Manufacturing License Application - a person who conducts the production, preparation, propagation, or compounding of cannabis or cannabis products either directly or indirectly or by extraction methods, or independently by means of chemical synthesis, or by a combination of extraction and chemical synthesis, or that packages or repackages cannabis or cannabis products or labels or re-labels its container.
• Cannabis Distribution License Application - means a person engaged in procuring cannabis from a cultivator, and/or procuring cannabis products from a manufacturer, for sale to a licensed commercial cannabis business.
• Cannabis Testing License Application -   a laboratory, facility, or entity in the State, that offers or performs tests of cannabis or cannabis products and that is both of the following: 1) Accredited by an accrediting body that is independent from all other persons involved in commercial marijuana cannabis activity in the State.  2) Registered and Licensed by the State Department of Public Health.

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Anyone interested in operating a medical cannabis business within the City of Woodlake, CA must have a Cannabis Regulatory Permit and must complete the City’s Conditional Use Permit process:

​Item 1:  Complete Background Investigation Packet to Obtain Employee Permit:

As part of the application process each applicant will be required to complete the Background Investigation Packet included in the application. 

Items that need to be completed as part of the packet at the Woodlake Police Department:

• Live Scan (Last page of Application Packet)
• Photograph (Taken at Woodlake Police Department)
• Fingerprinting (Taken at Woodlake Police Department)
• Copy of Driver License, DMV issued ID card or Passport
• Proof of address (Driver License/DMV issued ID and/or recent utility bill under owner’s name)

As part of the background investigation each owner will be required to submit a list of 5 references.  The background Investigation needs to be completed by each owner and each employee. 

The grounds for denial of an Employee Permit can be one or more of the following:

• The applicant has been issued a local or State permit related to Cannabis production at any other location in California, or another state, and that permit was suspended or revoked, or the applicant has had disciplinary action relating to the permit.
• Consistent with State Law or other applicable State law, the applicant has been:
  • Convicted of a serious or violent offense as listed under California Penal Code sections 667.5 and l 192.7(c); or
  • Convicted of any of the offenses listed in Business and Professions Code section 19323; or.
  • Convicted of a misdemeanor involving moral turpitude as defined under State law (generally crimes relating to theft and dishonesty) within the five (5) years preceding the date of the application; or
  • Convicted of a felony involving the illegal use, possession, transportation, distribution or similar activities related to controlled substances, as defined in the Federal Controlled Substances Act, unless the individual has received a Certificate of Rehabilitation as defined in State Law; or has engaged in misconduct related to the qualifications, functions or duties of a permittee.
• Consistent with State Law or other applicable State law, the applicant has engaged in unlawful, fraudulent, unfair, or deceptive business acts or practices.
• The applicant has committed any act, which, if done by a permittee, would be grounds for suspension or revocation of a permit.
• An applicant is under eighteen (21) years of age, or any older age set by the State.

Item 2:  Application and Regulatory Fees for all Cannabis Businesses:

There are several fees pertaining to the Cannabis Business Application and all fees must be submitted with the final application. If an application is approved and the business is operational, each business must pay an annual regulatory fee which will be used to monitor and confirm compliance with local and state regulations.

Item 3:  Acceptable Cannabis Business Locations in Woodlake, CA:

Choosing the right location is critical for your business.

Information on the facility location will be required when submitting the Woodlake Cannabis Business Application.  Here is a list of information that is needed:

• Proposed Location of Business including address, lot area in square feet or acres, existing zoning, parcel number, and proposed use description.
• A site plan indicating the lot, all existing and proposed buildings, and distance from the buildings to the property lines;
• Floor plan drawn to scale and listing total square footage;
• Name and Address of Property Owner;
• Safety and Security Plan;
• The location must be more than 1000 feet from a public or private school;
• A street map drawn to scale indicating the proposed premises, at the center of a circle with a labeled 1000-foot radius; and
• Provide evidence of a legal right to occupy

City of Woodlake Zoning Map:

At a minimum the Cannabis Business location must comply with these building code operational requirements and restrictions:

• The Operator shall obtain all required building permits and comply with all applicable City standards. The Premises in which the Cannabis business occur shall comply with all applicable local, State and federal laws, rules, and regulations including, but not limited to, building codes and the Americans with Disabilities Act, as certified by the Building Official of the City.
• The Responsible Party shall ensure that the Premises has sufficient electrical load for the Cannabis production. The use of generators is prohibited other than for temporary emergency use.
• Butane and other flammable materials are permitted to be used for extraction and processing provided the Operator complies with all applicable fire and building codes, and any other laws and regulations relating to the use of those products, to ensure the safety of that operation. Employee training records and safety equipment must be maintained and all equipment must be compliant with State safety regulations in §§40100 – 41099 and as they may be amended. The Woodlake Fire Department shall inspect and approve the Premises for use of the products prior to City's issuance of a certificate of occupancy, or otherwise prior to opening for business, to ensure compliance with this requirement.
• The Operator shall comply with all laws and regulations pertaining to use of commercial kitchen facilities for the Cannabis production.
• The Operator shall comply with all environmental laws and regulations pertaining to the Cannabis production, including the use, storage, and disposal of water and pesticides, and shall otherwise use best practices to avoid environmental harm. The cannabis business must provide proof of a Board of Equalization Seller’s Permit.

 
Item 4: Complete the Specific Cannabis Business Application:    DEADLINE November 3rd, 2017

All applications must be submitted in PERSON to the Community Development Department:

Jason Waters
Community Development Director City of Woodlake
350 N Valencia Ave
Woodlake, CA 93286
559-564-8055

For Dispensaries Only the application process will be split into three phases:

Phase 1 – Background

Phase I requires each applicant to complete the Phase I background materials, which include the attached live scan form and commercial cannabis employee permit application, as well as an indemnification agreement to hold harmless the City of Woodlake. Each applicant will be required to submit to a criminal background investigation. Fingerprints and Photograph shall be required from each applicant as part of this process.

Phase 2 – Application Requirements:  All applicants must pass the background investigation to move on to Phase 2.

• Proposed business plan summary and budgets (20 Points Possible);
• Site location and development plan (20 Points Possible);
• Proof of capitalization (20 Points Possible);
• Management team (20 Points Possible); and
• Summary of security practices (20 Points Possible).

Phase 3 – Application Requirements:

• Product safety labeling;
• Community Benefits
• Hiring and Employment Practices

Final Selection:

Following an objective ranking of the above application materials, applicants may be invited for interview(s) with City staff and/or representatives. Following completion of the interview(s), City staff intends to bring forward for the City Council’s consideration up to two recommended facility operators. The recommended operator should be prepared to attend a City Council meeting in Woodlake in order to provide a public presentation before the Mayor and City Council introducing their team and providing an overview of their proposal.