Like many California cities and counties — and like the state itself — San Francisco is hustling to be prepared for Jan. 1, 2018, when the commercial sale of recreational marijuana becomes legal.
In this April 20, 2009 file photo, a large crowd cheers as the time reaches 4:20 p.m. on Hippie Hill in Golden Gate Park in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
The San Francisco Chronicle reports that Supervisor Jeff Sheehy is asking the city attorney to draw up legislation for a Department of Cannabis to manage the “onslaught” expected when the sale of recreational marijuana becomes legal.
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Sheehy notes to the Chronicle that, considering the staggering real-estate prices in San Francisco, regulating farming probably won’t be much of an issue. Existing medical-marijuana regulation is managed under the city’s Public Health Department.
The department would manage the issuing of permits and ensure compliance with standard rules for retail business and those unique to the pot industry, like only selling to customers over 21. It would have a city council commission and a director, who, the Chronicle notes, would likely pull down a six-figure salary. The department would probably be funded by permit fees.
Read the full article at SFChronicle.com.
