Cannabis Retailer License (CRL) Application Process 

The Cannabis Retail License application period closed at 3:00 P.M. on  December 14, 2017. If issued a license, retailers will also have to obtain approval on an Administrative User Permit for the proposed location as well as a State cannabis license. Applicants will be notified of their status upon completion of the review. To find contact information or learn more about the process, feel free to contact Ryan Bane, Senior Planner. 

Are you a Cannabis Retailer?

For more information, please review City Finance Cannabis Tax.

State of California and City of Santa Cruz Regulations 

With the approval of Proposition 64 (AUMA) in November 2016, adult use of marijuana became legal in California.  Under AUMA, personal use and cultivation of up to six (6) plants per residence became legal immediately while commercial uses, including cultivation, testing, manufacturing, distribution, and sales, will become legal once State licenses are issued beginning in January 2018. For more information, please review: State Cannabis Regulations & Legislation. 

Additionally, Santa Cruz City Council adopted Cannabis Regulations on November 28, 2017. Under this ordinance, the City will allow five (5) retail outlets in industrial and limited commercial zones.  Commercial cultivation is limited to 10,000 square feet of indoor growth in industrial zones. Manufacturing and distribution are also allowed in industrial zones. All commercial cannabis uses require the approval of an administrative use permit at a public hearing. Retail uses also require a cannabis retailer license. For more information, please reference the City's Municipal Code: Chapter 6.91 Cannabis Retailer License.

The City is not regulating personal use beyond what is allowed by state law. For more information on past City Council meetings, please view: 

City GIS Map of Restricted Areas

View the City GIS map to find the restricted areas for cannabis and the required buffers for current dispensaries. You can find your address using the search feature: Cannabis Ordinance Restricted Area Interactive Map

What are the current medical cannabis regulations?
How can I keep myself updated on the city's regulations?