California Cannabis Countdown: Marin County Update

California has 58 counties and 482 incorporated cities across the state, each with the option to create its own rules or ban marijuana altogether. In this California Cannabis Countdown series, we cover who is banning cannabis, who is embracing cannabis (and how), and everyone in between. For each city and county, we’ll discuss its location, history with cannabis, current law, and proposed law to give you a clearer picture of where to locate your California cannabis business, how to keep it legal, and what you will and won’t be allowed to do.

Our last California Cannabis Countdown post was on the City of San Jose, and before that the City of Cotati, the City of San Luis Obispo, the City of Redding, the City of San Rafael, the City of Hayward, Alameda County, Oakland, San Francisco, Sonoma County, the City of Davis, the City of Santa Rosa, County and City of San Bernardino, Marin County, Nevada County, the City of Lynwood, the City of Coachella, Los Angeles County, the City of Los Angeles, the City of Desert Hot Springs, Sonoma County, the City of Sacramento, the City of Berkeley, Calaveras County, Monterey County the City of Emeryville and the City of Antioch.

In addition to the above, we have previously written about commercial cannabis regulations in Marin County here, here, and here. Today’s post is an update on those regulations, as requested by one of our faithful readers.

Welcome to the California Cannabis Countdown.

What commercial cannabis activity is allowed in Marin County?

In unincorporated Marin County, medicinal cannabis delivery-only retailers (MCDORe) are allowed pursuant to a licensing ordinance approved on November 14, 2017. These locations must be closed to the public– only delivery is allowed.

How many retailers are allowed?

A maximum of four MCDORe locations are authorized in the C1 (Retail Business), CP (Planned Commercial), AP (Admin and Professional), OP (Planned Office) and IP (Industrial Planned) zoned districts. MCDORe locations must be located at least 600 ft from schools, day care centers, youth centers and playgrounds.

What about delivery?

Delivery of medicinal cannabis into unincorporated Marin County by licensed retailers located outside of unincorporated Marin County is also allowed. All other commercial cannabis activities are prohibited in unincorporated Marin County.

Is Marin County accepting MCDORe license applications?

The deadline for applications was July 12, 2018 and Marin County is not accepting additional MCDORe applications at this time. According to County staff, there may be an opportunity for additional licenses in the future if the program expands. After implementation of MCDORe licensing, Marin County will be evaluating program expansion into other potential licensing regulations.

What about non-medical?

Currently, Marin County does not allow any adult-use commercial cannabis activities, including cultivation, manufacturing, testing, distribution or retail sales. This is unfortunate, because in 2016, 69.6 percent of Marin voters supported Proposition 64. For this to change, citizens and industry should make it known to the County Board of Supervisors that an additional licensing ordinance is needed.