Grass Valley continues to move forward with allowing legal cannabis businesses within the city limits. At yesterday evening’s city council meeting staff presented the application and screening process to identify, select and approve which businesses will be allowed to operate once the ordinance goes into effect. One item of concern is the city manager appointing the committee that will review applications and make recommendations to the council. Mayor Lisa Swarthout suggests an alternate process that also includes the city council.

Council member Hilary Hodge did not agree that members of the cannabis industry could not be on the committee. However, staff clarified that state law prohibits anyone that has made any money from cannabis from being on the committee.

A compromise was reached and the council approved a motion.

Council member Jan Arbuckle, suggesting that Mayor Swarthout be allowed to make the motion since she has been advocating for cannabis for over ten years, and is leaving the council in December.