Medical Cannabis Applications are available for the City of Adelanto

The City of Adelanto began accepting Medical Cannabis applications on July 6th, 2017. Details of the application process have been provided by the Planning Division. The city published a Medical Cultivation Ordinance and a Dispensaries Ordinance to outline the rules for each license type. The biggest difference between license types is where the businesses are zoned to operate, otherwise the application process is identical.

​Individuals seeking entry into the Cannabis Industry in Adelanto should follow 4 key steps.  

• Step 1: Identify a Property
• Step 2: Construct a Compliant Building
• Step 3: Draft an Operations Plan that Adheres to Adelanto Laws
• Step 4: Complete an Application

Step 1: Identify a Property
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Cultivation, Manufacturing, Transportation, and Testing Properties
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For Medical Cannabis Cultivation, Manufacturing, Transportation, Distribution, and Testing applicants should look for properties within the Manufacturing/Industrial (M1) or Light Manufacturing (LM) zoning designation in the Industrial Park. Applicants should avoid any property that is within a 2,500 foot radius of a school, public playground or park, child care or day care facility, youth center, or church, or as further amended by City Ordinances.

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Dispensary Properties
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Medical Cannabis Dispensaries applicants should look for a property within the designated Medical Cannabis Dispensary Zones The property cannot be within 600 foot radius of a school, public playground or park, child care or day care facility, youth center, or church, nor within 500 feet of a residential property, or as further amended by City Ordinances. All medical cannabis dispensaries must comply with Section 17.80.120 of the Adelanto Municipal Code (Ordinance No. 553).

Step 2: Construct a Compliant Building

For the City of Adelanto, a secure facility is critical to pass inspections to gain Medical Cannabis licensure. During the construction phase, applicants must build the facility with the following criteria in mind:

• The Medical Cannabis Facility should be a fully enclosed and secured structure.
• Rooms should be constructed in a way that all Cannabis shall be kept in a secure manner during business and nonbusiness hours.
• Entrance to the facility shall be locked at all times, and under control of staff of the facility.   
• The facility shall be secured with an alarm system and monitored by a recognized security company.  
• Cannabis dispensaries may not be located within the same unit of a building or structure as an indoor cannabis cultivation, manufacturing, distribution, transportation, or testing facility.
• The facility must operate a sufficient odor absorbing ventilation and exhaust systems.
• There must be a quality closed circuit security camera with at least 120 concurrent hours of digitally recorded documentation in a format approved by the City Manager or the City Manager’s designee available 24 hours per day, 7 days per week.
• Signage for the medical cannabis facility shall be limited to the name of the business only and shall be in compliance with the city’s sign code, and no advertising or companies, brands, products, goods and/or services shall be permitted. Signage shall not include any drug related symbols.

Step 3: Draft an Operations Plan that Adheres to Adelanto Laws

In the Application, applicants must read and acknowledge the laws related to operating in Adelanto. Some of the key rules are below and should be accounted for in the Operations Plan.

1. For Medical Cannabis Cultivation, Manufacturing cannot distribute to the public.
2. Medical cannabis dispensing and delivery is allowed only within fully enclosed and secure structures that are inaccessible to minors.
3. The Medical Cannabis facility shall not adversely affect the health or safety of the nearby residents by creating dust, glare, heat, noise, smoke, traffic, vibration, or other impacts, and shall not be hazardous due to use or storage of materials, processes, products or wastes.
4. The Medical Cannabis Facility shall comply fully with all of the applicable restrictions and mandates set forth in state law, including without limitation, the Attorney General Guidelines.
5. The medical cannabis facility shall comply with all size requirements for such facilities imposed by state law.
6. The facility shall not engage in any activities not allowed at facilities pursuant to State law.
7. The facility shall comply with all horticulture, labeling, processing, and other standards required by State law. The building in which the facility is located shall fully comply with all applicable rules, regulations, and laws of the City and State.
8. The medical cannabis facility, including dispensaries, shall operate within a legal structure compliant with all laws of the State of California.
9. On site smoking, ingestion, or consumption of cannabis or alcohol shall be prohibited on the premises of the medical cannabis facility. Moreover, the building entrance to the medial cannabis facility shall be clearly and legibly posted with a notice indicating that smoking, ingesting, or consuming cannabis on the premises or in the vicinity is prohibited.
10. No alcohol shall be sold, stored, distributed or consumed on the premises.
11. Physician services shall not be provided on the premises of the facility.
12. No dried medical cannabis shall be stored at the property in structures that are not completely enclosed, in an unlocked vault or safe, in any other unsecured storage structure, or in a safe or vault that is not bolted to the floor of the Property.
13. The medical cannabis facility agrees to carry insurance in an amount acceptable to the City. The facility also agrees to name the City of Adelanto as an additionally insured.

Step 4: Complete an Application

Applications cost $7,000 each and permits are available for Cultivation, Manufacturing, Distribution, Transportation, Testing, and Dispensaries. The process and application for each license type is identical. The application is available here.

Applicants need to submit the following items to the city for consideration:

• A complete application, and application fee
• A location Site Plan show where the facility is located and any proposed modifications
• A Security Plan that demonstrates how the applicant will ensure the safety of employees, neighbors, and customers
• A Live Scan background check for all Applicants and Operators
• An Operations Plan that complies with the most recent Cannabis Ordinance
• A Statement of experience showing an individual’s qualifications to operate a cannabis business
• A Statement of financial adequacy
• A statement of employment that commits to hiring local personnel
• A Community Benefits Plan showing how the applicant will add value to the community

​The city does not mention a cap on the number of licenses being offered. Rather, it is likely that available real estate will be quickly consumed by applicants creating a natural cap on the market. Those who are interested in obtaining a cannabis permit in the City of Adelanto should secure real estate now to expedite the application preparation process.