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Marina, California Cannabis Business Licensing

4/8/2019

 
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As we mentioned in this week’s cannabis update, today, April 8 is the first day Marina, California will be accepting cannabis license applications.

Here’s what you need to know about the process and how to submit a cannabis application in Marina.

Application Period and Submission Details

Marina’s City Council has a 60-day application period, from April 8 to June 3, 2019. The following number of licenses will be issued:
  • 3 medical dispensary licenses
  • 3 adult-use cannabis dispensary licenses
After this 60-day window, no new applications will be accepted–so make sure to get your application in on time! Following the deadline of June 3, the city’s review process will follow this timeline:
  • Phase 1 Application Review: 2 weeks
  • Phase 2 Application Review: 3-4 weeks
  • Phase 3 Application Review: 3 weeks
  • Conditional Use Permit Processing, Planning Commission and City Council Review: 10 weeks

Dispensary Application Details and Requirements

Prospective cannabis dispensary owners can find the application details and documents on the Marina city website. Only complete applications will be considered by the city; you must include the following documents:
  • Commercial Cannabis Business Application
  • Property Owner Consent (page 5 of the CCB Application)
  • Application filing fee(s)
  • Limitations on City’s Liability waiver
  • Commercial Cannabis Business Application Financial Responsibility, Indemnity and Consent to Inspection
  • Proof of comprehensive general liability insurance (minimum $1M per occurrence)
  • Approved Zoning Verification Letter
  • Live Scan/Background Check information for each Owner/Principal, including:
    • Proof of submittal of Live Scan application and payment of fee to Oxnard Police Department
    • Cannabis Permit Employee/Owner Background Application
    • Copy of Social Security card
    • Copy of Driver’s License or other valid government-issued photo identification
  • Supplemental information to be evaluated in Phases 2 and 3 (see Appendix A of the Application Procedure Guidelines)
Dispensaries will be evaluated in four phases which includes the following criteria and fees.

Phase 1: Determination of Eligibility

Businesses in Phase 1 must pay a fee of $8,000 with their Dispensary Permit Application. These fees will go toward background checks and staff time, and any unused fees will be returned to candidates who don’t make it through all three phases.

When submitting your Phase 1 application, provide all materials in 2 (duplicate) three-ring binder and one flash drive, with everything in PDF format. Create a separate tab for each section of the application (e.g. Business Plan, Security Plan, etc.). Payment can be made in the form of personal check, certified check, cashiers check, or money order – no cash or credit cards.

Your application must include the following sections:
  1. Business Plan (5 points): this outlines the business’s operational and financial plan. Include the names and resumes of key staff, operations plan, financial plan, sales projections and market study. Applicants are encouraged to provide a specific, written plan for how their operation will benefit the community. *The community benefits plan is worth 8 points.
    1. Here is our video about cannabis business plans.
  2. Security Plan (20 points): this outlines how the business expects to address security issues at their location. The Chief of Police and the City Manager or their designee will review and approve all Security Plans.
  3. Property Owner Approval: submit proof of approval of the owner of the real property where the proposed Non-Retail will be located if approved. Applicants are not required to have a signed lease, but a letter from the property owner indicating that:
    1. The property owner is aware of and approves the use being proposed. Commercial Cannabis Business Application Procedure Guidelines 3
    2. The property owner will lease the property to the cannabis related use upon approval of application.
    3. The property owner understands that licenses for cannabis related uses are for one year and can be revoked at the City's sole discretion with or without reason.
*Please note that “Neighborhood Compatibility” is worth 5 points in the selection criteria
  1. Live Scan: All owners, operators, and employees of any cannabis related business must submit a request for a Live Scan. The Police Chief shall have the discretion to require additional information, including a Live Scan arranged by the Police Department, that he/she deems necessary to conduct any investigation related to the Live Scan background check of an applicant. A Live Scan arranged by the Police Department will fulfill the requirements for applicants to obtain their own Live Scan.
  2. Documents are required for each principal employee’s background check:
    1. Commercial Cannabis Business Employee/Owner Background Application
    2. Two passport-quality photographs (2”x2”)
    3. Copy of Social Security card or ITIN
    4. Color copy of Driver’s License or other valid government-issued photo identification
    5. Proof of current address

Phase 2 and Phase 3

Phase 1 applicants must meet the eligibility criteria by demonstrating how they will operate in compliance with local laws and regulations. If you can show that you have read and understood the cannabis restrictions, then you will move to Phase 2. Phase 2 applicants are evaluated on their Live Scan results, completeness of their application, proposed location, and two key documents: 
  • Signed and Notarized City of Marina Limitations on City’s Liability and Certifications, Assurances and Warranties.
  • Signed City of Marina Commercial Cannabis Business Application Financial Responsibility, Indemnity and Consent to Inspection Terms
Those selected to move on to Phase 3 are then ranked based on the above points system. Read the application criteria carefully as it offers a detailed explanation of how each section will be scored.

Phase 4

Finally, Phase 4 is the Final Ranking and Issuance of Cannabis Dispensary Application Conditional Use Permits, and Cannabis Business Licenses. Operators who are through to this round must pay a second fee of $7000 and be able to apply for an Cannabis Dispensary Application Conditional Use Permit and license to engage in a commercial cannabis business. Qualified applicants from the initial ranking may amend and combine their applications to optimize their scores.

Non-Dispensary Application Details and Requirements

Non-dispensary commercial cannabis businesses are also eligible to apply for permits during this window. Like dispensaries, these businesses will be evaluated in four phases which includes the following criteria and fees.

Phase 1: Determination of Eligibility

Businesses in Phase 1 must pay a fee of $8,000 with their Non-Dispensary Permit Application. These fees will go toward background checks and staff time, and any unused fees will be returned to candidates who don’t make it through all three phases.

When submitting your Phase 1 application, provide all materials in 2 (duplicate) three-ring binder and one flash drive, with everything in PDF format. Create a separate tab for each section of the application (e.g. Business Plan, Security Plan, etc.). Payment can be made in the form of personal check, certified check, cashiers check, or money order – no cash or credit cards. 

Your application must include the following sections:
  1. Business Plan (5 points): this outlines the business’s operational and financial plan. Include the names and resumes of key staff, operations plan, financial plan, sales projections and market study. Applicants are encouraged to provide a specific, written plan for how their operation will benefit the community. *The community benefits plan is worth 8 points.
  2. Security Plan (20 points): this outlines how the business expects to address security issues at their location. The Chief of Police and the City Manager or their designee will review and approve all Security Plans.
  3. Property Owner Approval: submit proof of approval of the owner of the real property where the proposed Non-Retail will be located if approved. Applicants are not required to have a signed lease, but a letter from the property owner indicating that:
    1. The property owner is aware of and approves the use being proposed. Commercial Cannabis Business Application Procedure Guidelines 3
    2. The property owner will lease the property to the cannabis related use upon approval of application.
    3. The property owner understands that licenses for cannabis related uses are for one year and can be revoked at the City's sole discretion with or without reason.
*Please note that “Neighborhood Compatibility” is worth 5 points in the selection criteria

  1. Live Scan: All owners, operators, and employees of any cannabis related business must submit a request for a Live Scan. The Police Chief shall have the discretion to require additional information, including a Live Scan arranged by the Police Department, that he/she deems necessary to conduct any investigation related to the Live Scan background check of an applicant. A Live Scan arranged by the Police Department will fulfill the requirements for applicants to obtain their own Live Scan.
  2. Documents are required for each principal employee’s background check:
    1. Commercial Cannabis Business Employee/Owner Background Application
    2. Two passport-quality photographs (2”x2”)
    3. Copy of Social Security card or ITIN
    4. Color copy of Driver’s License or other valid government-issued photo identification
    5. Proof of current address

Phase 2 and Phase 3

Phase 1 applicants must meet the eligibility criteria by demonstrating how they will operate in compliance with local laws and regulations. If you can show that you have read and understood the cannabis restrictions, then you will move to Phase 2.

Phase 2 applicants are evaluated on their Live Scan results, completeness of their application, proposed location, and two key documents: 
  • Signed and Notarized City of Marina Limitations on City’s Liability and Certifications, Assurances and Warranties.
  • Signed City of Marina Commercial Cannabis Business Application Financial Responsibility, Indemnity and Consent to Inspection Terms
Those selected to move on to Phase 3 are then ranked based on the above points system. While it’s not clear how many non-dispensary licenses will be issued, the application states that: “Up to twice as many qualified applicants as there are available licenses will be eligible for final ranking, as determined by the aggregate scores of the initial ranking.” Read the application criteria carefully as it offers a detailed explanation of how each section will be scored.

Phase 4

Finally, Phase 4 is the Final Ranking and Issuance of Cannabis Non-Retail Application Administrative Use Permits. Operators who are through to this round must pay a second fee of $3000 and be able to apply for an Administrative Use Permit. “The top applicants equal to the number of licenses available will be eligible for a Cannabis Non-Retail Application Administrative Use Permit and license to engage in a commercial cannabis business.”

Cannabis Zoning Verification Letter

Applicants must obtain an approved Cannabis Zoning Verification Letter (CZVL) from the Planning Division of the Community Development Department in City Hall located at 209 Cypress Avenue, Marina, CA 93933 prior to submitting a CCB application. This letter verifies that your proposed business location meets the city’s requirements. You must send a written request; CZVL’s will not be completed over the counter to allow time for research and review. 

Plan ahead to get the CZVL: Marina’s review process takes approximately 15 working days. A CZVL costs $200.00 and payment is due at the time a CZVL is requested.

Get Help Today

While three months seems like enough time to complete a cannabis application, time is of the essence.
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Get in touch with our experts by clicking the button below and we can assist you in putting together a strong application in Marina, California.

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