Salinas’ medical marijuana dispensary application process begins

People interested in selling medical marijuana in Salinas learned how to go about it on Monday. The City of Salinas also opened the application period for commercial cannabis business permits on Monday.

An informational meeting was held in City Council Chambers, hosted a few dozen people as representatives who explained how the process works and how to submit an application.

Most people at the meeting declined to speak with KION on camera. But one anonymous supporter of dispensaries said they’ll bring tax revenue into Salinas along with other benefits.

“There’s community outreach and non-profits are set up to help the communities around here and because of the stigma in the industry a lot of these businesses need to operate on a different level to really set themselves apart, raise the bar higher to show that there’s nothing to be afraid of,” said an anonymous dispensary supporter.

Those applying to cultivate, dispense, or deliver medical marijuana will need quite a few approvals before they can get started. Several departments in Salinas will need to sign off on all applications including the fire department, the police department and the zoning commission.