Cannabis Regulations

PROJECT UPDATES

MAY 11, 2022: COMMUNITY MEETING - CANNABIS SOCIAL EQUITY

Join Us for a Cannabis Social Equity Community Meeting on May 11th

MARCH 31, 2022: CANNABIS BUSINESS & COMMUNITY REINVESTMENT PUBLIC MEETING

FLYER: Cannabis Business & Community Reinvestment Public Meeting on 3/31

Share your voice with the City of Pasadena

The City of Pasadena is considering changes to
cannabis business regulation.
Join us to discuss how cannabis businesses should
support the Pasadena workforce, community-serving
agencies, and local business.

March 31st, 2022 at 6 p.m.

MARCH 15, 2021 - TOP APPLICANTS FOR CANNABIS TESTING LABORATORIES AND CULTIVATOR CATEGORIES

March 15, 2021 – The City of Pasadena has completed the review and scoring of applications received for the commercial cannabis testing laboratories and cultivator categories. The following are the top-scoring applicants (in alphabetical order):

*Applicant Name*	*Category*
Bio-Reliable Laboratories, LLC	Testing Laboratory
Edemar, Inc.	Testing Laboratory
OCG-CA-Retail-C_Pasadena, LLC	Cultivator
Panamerica Ag Corporation	Cultivator
RDO Holdings, Inc	Cultivator

CANNABIS PERMIT APPLICATION

February 9, 2022 – The Cannabis Change of Ownership form is available below:

Change of Ownership Form - Cannabis Permit

February 1, 2022 – Cannabis Permit approvals have been issued to the following applicants:

March 9, 2020 – The Cannabis Permit Application and Supplemental Forms are available to top-scoring retailer applicants that have obtained approval of a Conditional Use Permit: Cannabis Retailer permit.

Cannabis Permit Application and Supplemental Forms

STATUS UPDATE ON CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT: CANNABIS RETAILER APPLICATIONS

UPDATED June 6, 2022 – The chart linked in the document below identifies the Conditional Use Permit: Cannabis Retailer applications that have been submitted to date and their status. Copies of the status letters sent to each applicant are available in the list below:

Application Status as of June 6, 2022

Status Letters sent:

Redacted copies of the Conditional Use Permit: Cannabis Retail applications will be posted below:

Harvest of Pasadena – Redacted CUP – (Redactions revised as of 8/5/19. Refer to revised file #1 in the section below.)
The Atrium Group LLC – Redacted CUP

REVISED – The CUP files below replace the files above and contain information which had been previously redacted. Files will be posted as the applicable redactions are completed. Note that some material cannot be posted on the website but is available in redacted form for review in-person. If you wish to review in-person, please contact Guille Nunez at gnunez@cityofpasadena.net

APPEAL APPLICATIONS FILED FOR CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT DETERMINATIONS

UPDATED February 1, 2022– The documents and correspondence below pertain to the appeal applications filed for Conditional Use Permit: Cannabis Retailer approvals and disapprovals.

CORRESPONDENCE RELATED TO APPEAL APPLICATIONS FILED BY SWEETFLOWER PASADENA, LLC

UPDATED October 10, 2019 – The documents and correspondence below pertain to the appeal applications filed by SweetFlower Pasadena LLC.

Documents pertaining to October 7, 2019 City Council appeal hearing and decision:

Documents pertaining to August 7, 2019 Board of Zoning Appeals hearing and decision:

CORRESPONDENCE PERTAINING TO CANNABIS APPLICANT SELECTION

UPDATED July 1, 2020– The following correspondence has been submitted to the City:

UPDATED July 12, 2019 – The following are the City’s correspondence to the applicants:

OTHER CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED BEGINNING JUNE 5, 2019

Updated December 12, 2019 – Refer to the emails linked below:

SUMMARY OF CANNABIS-RELATED REQUESTS RECEIVED PURSUANT TO THE CALIFORNIA PUBLIC RECORDS ACT (CPRA)

August 3, 2020 (UPDATED) - The summary list of cannabis-related requests received by the Planning and Community Development Department pursuant to the California Public Records Act (CPRA) has been moved to a new page. Click here or click the link below to view the summary list. Refer to the new page for updates.

CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT: CANNABIS RETAILER RULES & REGULATIONS

June 20, 2019 – A meeting was held June 12, 2019 with staff and representatives for the 6 top-scoring applications. At this meeting, each representative was provided the ‘Conditional Use Permit: Cannabis Retailer’ application forms and staff provided an explanation of the submission requirements and the application process. The following document contains the rules and regulations promulgated for the Conditional Use Permit: Cannabis Retailer application. (Refer also to Addenda 1)

June 27, 2019 – Addenda 1 to the Rules and Regulations promulgated for the Conditional Use Permit: Cannabis Retailer application is available below.

June 18, 2020 – Procedure for Review of Change of Ownership and/or Management of Cannabis Businesses (During Permitting Process only) is available below.

August 25, 2021 – Addenda 2 to the Rules and Regulations promulgated for the Conditional Use Permit: Cannabis Retailer application is available below.

October 22, 2021 – Procedure for Review of Change of Ownership of Cannabis Businesses (After Permitting Process only) is available below.

Rules and Regulations for Retail Cannabis CUP
Addenda 1 – Rules and Regulations for Retail Cannabis CUP
Procedure for Change of Ownership or Management
Addenda 2 – Rules and Regulations for Retail Cannabis CUP
Procedure for Review of Change of Ownership

REDACTED APPLICATIONS FOR RETAIL CANNABIS APPLICANTS

UPDATED March 25, 2021 – The redacted applications and score sheets for the six top-scoring applicants for commercial cannabis are now available. These applications have been reviewed and information that is exempt from disclosure has been redacted. Redacted information includes: personnel, medical or similar files pursuant to Government Code Section 6254 (c) and Article I, Section I of the California Constitution; information required from any taxpayer in connection with the collection of local taxes that is received in confidence and the disclosure of the information to other persons would result in unfair competitive disadvantage to the person supplying the information pursuant to Government Code Section 6254(i); and, statements of personal worth or personal financial data required by a licensing agency and filed by an applicant with the licensing agency to establish his or her personal qualification for the license certificate or permit applied for pursuant to Government Code Section 6254(n).

Redacted applications for the remaining 116 retail cannabis applicants will also be made available on this page and will be posted below as they are completed. These applications have been reviewed and information that is exempt from disclosure has been redacted. Redacted information includes: personnel, medical or similar files pursuant to Government Code Section 6254 (c) and Article I, Section I of the California Constitution; information required from any taxpayer in connection with the collection of local taxes that is received in confidence and the disclosure of the information to other persons would result in unfair competitive disadvantage to the person supplying the information pursuant to Government Code Section 6254(i); and, statements of personal worth or personal financial data required by a licensing agency and filed by an applicant with the licensing agency to establish his or her personal qualification for the license certificate or permit applied for pursuant to Government Code Section 6254(n). Refer to the list below:

7.	The Brick & Rose	REDACTED APPLICATION
8.	CPC of Pasadena LLC	REDACTED APPLICATION
9.	JCP Ventures, LLC	REDACTED APPLICATION
10.	10 Spot, Inc.	REDACTED APPLICATION
11.	StarbudsCA LLC	REDACTED APPLICATION
12.	The Artist Tree II, LLC	REDACTED APPLICATION
13.	Idyllwild	REDACTED APPLICATION
14.	Rose Gold Collection LLC	REDACTED APPLICATION
15.	7PG Pasadena, LLC	REDACTED APPLICATION
16.	Strategic Star Properties	REDACTED APPLICATION
17.	Coastal Retail Pasadena, LLC	REDACTED APPLICATION
18.	Sam S. Sadis	REDACTED APPLICATION
19.	Pasadena Retail LLC	REDACTED APPLICATION
20.	Adam S. Knopf and Micah P. Anderson	REDACTED APPLICATION
21.	Three Habitat Consulting Holdco, Inc	REDACTED APPLICATION
22.	MM Development CA, Inc.	REDACTED APPLICATION
23.	TGIG, LLC	REDACTED APPLICATION
24.	Blooming Organics LLC	REDACTED APPLICATION
25.	Tychee, LLC	REDACTED APPLICATION
26.	LP COLA Pasadena LLC	REDACTED APPLICATION
27.	ASHE Pasadena LLC	REDACTED APPLICATION
28.	Pasaflora, LLC	REDACTED APPLICATION
29.	Adelanto Air Expressway, Inc.	REDACTED APPLICATION
30.	Element 7 Pasadena LLC	REDACTED APPLICATION
31.	MED Enterprise, Inc.	REDACTED APPLICATION
32.	MediFarm Pasadena	REDACTED APPLICATION
33.	SOCA Farms LLC	REDACTED APPLICATION
34.	Seaside Service Co., LLC	REDACTED APPLICATION
35.	Rocky Road Pasadena	REDACTED APPLICATION
36.	Verano Pasadena LLC	REDACTED APPLICATION
37.	ARMPAS, Inc.	REDACTED APPLICATION
38.	LA Beaut LLC	REDACTED APPLICATION
39.	Pleasure Med LLC	REDACTED APPLICATION
40.	The Growcery LLC	REDACTED APPLICATION
41.	Agsol-Stem LLC	REDACTED APPLICATION
42.	Aeon Pasadena, Inc	REDACTED APPLICATION
43.	PASADENA WELLNESS	REDACTED APPLICATION
44.	Siva Pasadena	REDACTED APPLICATION
45.	Anthony Theiss	REDACTED APPLICATION
46.	GW Retail Pasadena	REDACTED APPLICATION
47.	Shadowbart & Company, Inc.	REDACTED APPLICATION
48.	Pasa Canna, LLC	REDACTED APPLICATION
49.	Regal Green Remedies, Inc.	REDACTED APPLICATION
50.	JIVA LIFE LLC	REDACTED APPLICATION
51.	Rose City Ventures, LLC	REDACTED APPLICATION
52.	Northstar Equities Inc.	REDACTED APPLICATION
53.	OCG‐CA‐Retail‐C‐Pasadena, LLC	REDACTED APPLICATION
54.	Bonavento Investment & Management Company, LLC	REDACTED APPLICATION
55.	Ikanik Farms, Inc.	REDACTED APPLICATION
56.	WOW Health and Wellness, LLC	REDACTED APPLICATION
57.	SMART MED SOLUTIONS	REDACTED APPLICATION
58.	Black Rose Bioligique	REDACTED APPLICATION
59.	Stay Lifted Pasadena, Inc.	REDACTED APPLICATION
60.	Anna Blazevich and Michael Blazevich	REDACTED APPLICATION
61.	Budberry 2 LLC	REDACTED APPLICATION
62.	Monex Place Wellness, Inc.	REDACTED APPLICATION
63.	C2C Ops, LLC	REDACTED APPLICATION
64.	Western Erudite Ventures	REDACTED APPLICATION
65.	Shango Pasadena	REDACTED APPLICATION
66.	ROSE CAPITAL VENTURES, INC	REDACTED APPLICATION
67.	From The Earth, LLC	REDACTED APPLICATION
68.	NUG Pasadena (Ca Corporation To Be Formed)	REDACTED APPLICATION
69.	P&S VENTURES LLC	REDACTED APPLICATION
70.	MMR Books, LLC	REDACTED APPLICATION
71.	DTC ORGANIC ROOT CORP	REDACTED APPLICATION
72.	Ocean Green Management LLC	REDACTED APPLICATION
73.	UL Pasadena LLC	REDACTED APPLICATION
74.	ERBA PASADENA LLC	REDACTED APPLICATION
75.	Green Goddess Pasadena, LLC	REDACTED APPLICATION
76.	WellSpring LLC	REDACTED APPLICATION
77.	Newcorp Inc.	REDACTED APPLICATION
78.	Green Earth Vitality Corporation	REDACTED APPLICATION
79.	Kyle Ryan	REDACTED APPLICATION
80.	Cali Cannabis Care	REDACTED APPLICATION
81.	The High Note, Inc.	REDACTED APPLICATION
82.	The Honey Pot Pasadena, LLC	REDACTED APPLICATION
83.	Chrysalis Pasadena, Inc.	REDACTED APPLICATION
84.	NMG Pasadena, LLC	REDACTED APPLICATION
85.	Five Elements Capital LLC	REDACTED APPLICATION
86.	Relief Tree, LLC	REDACTED APPLICATION
87.	The Pasadena Lighthouse, LLC	REDACTED APPLICATION
88.	Malibu Gold, LLC	REDACTED APPLICATION
89.	Preferred Environmental Advocates, LLC	REDACTED APPLICATION
90.	G.T.L CA, LLC	REDACTED APPLICATION
91.	Canna Centauri, Inc.	REDACTED APPLICATION
92.	SCSA Group	REDACTED APPLICATION
93.	OWEN FARM COMPANY	REDACTED APPLICATION
94.	DR. Greenthumb of Pasadena	REDACTED APPLICATION
95.	Frisque	REDACTED APPLICATION
96.	Emerald Spectrum Holdings Inc.	REDACTED APPLICATION
97.	TSLMP LLC	REDACTED APPLICATION
98.	Urban Buds Pasadena, LLC	REDACTED APPLICATION
99.	Cornerstone Wellness LLC.	REDACTED APPLICATION
100.	KINDRED COLLECTIVE, LLC	REDACTED APPLICATION
101.	Budee, Inc.	REDACTED APPLICATION
102.	PASVENTURES LLC	REDACTED APPLICATION
103.	Gabrilino Trail LLC	REDACTED APPLICATION
104.	Green Rose City	REDACTED APPLICATION
105.	GreenDot Enterprise, Inc.	REDACTED APPLICATION
106.	Fahed Sayegh, Samir Sayegh, Jeremy Thomas, David Abovian	REDACTED APPLICATION
107.	Lemesh, Inc.	REDACTED APPLICATION
108.	FAMJ Group	REDACTED APPLICATION
109.	Greendale Cannabis	REDACTED APPLICATION
110.	Kings Republic	REDACTED APPLICATION
111.	Carte Blanche Holdings, LLC.	REDACTED APPLICATION
112.	La Fiore D’Oro	REDACTED APPLICATION
113.	Habib Rene Shbeyer	REDACTED APPLICATION
114.	Marianna Sadikyan	REDACTED APPLICATION
115.	Mother Earth Wellness LLC	REDACTED APPLICATION
116.	Viridian Ventures, Inc.	REDACTED APPLICATION
117.	TST ENTERTAINMENT INC	REDACTED APPLICATION
118.	Luna June LLC	REDACTED APPLICATION
119.	Kijani Patients Collective, LLC.	REDACTED APPLICATION
120.	Bonelli Corp	REDACTED APPLICATION
121.	M.E.C.A INC	REDACTED APPLICATION
122.	Volki Group, Inc.	REDACTED APPLICATION

JUNE 5, 2019 - APPLICATION SELECTION RESULTS FOR RETAILER PERMITS

JUNE 5, 2019 – The City of Pasadena has completed the review and scoring of applications received for commercial cannabis retailer permits. The following are the six top-scoring applicants:

	Applicant Name	Points Possible	Points Awarded	Score
1	Integral Associates Dena, LLC	1,575	1,492	94.73%
2	Tony Fong	1,575	1,473	93.52%
3	The Atrium Group, LLC	1,575	1,468	93.21%
4	Harvest of Pasadena, LLC	1,575	1,467	93.14%
5	SweetFlower Pasadena, LLC	1,575	1,465	93.02%
6	MME Pasadena Retail, LLC	1,575	1,459	92.63%

“We would like to recognize and congratulate the six top-scoring applicants who completed a very comprehensive process,” states City Manager Steve Mermell. Mr. Mermell added that future retail dispensaries will have appropriate design review and conditions to guard against impacts on surrounding uses and added, “I was pleased with the high-level of sophistication, experience and expertise demonstrated by the top-scoring applicants and look forward to a positive relationship between future permitted dispensaries and our community.”

Applications for all three categories of commercial cannabis permits—retailers, testing laboratories and cultivators—were accepted from January 1, 2019 until January 31, 2019. Of the 128 applications received, 122 applications were for the ‘Retailer’ category. Applications were thoroughly reviewed by Hinderliter, de Llamas and Associates (HdL), an independent municipal consulting group offering cannabis consulting services. Applications were scored by HdL according to the City of Pasadena Commercial Cannabis Permit Application Review Criteria, which consist of four primary categories with a total of 28 specific sub-criteria. Linked below is a complete list of all retail applicants and their scores, which will be maintained by the City for a period of 12 months and may be used to identify potential future operators.

The adopted marijuana regulations allow up to a maximum of six retail operators. The next steps for the top-scoring retail applicants are to submit a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) application and supplemental commercial cannabis information, including verification of a lease or ownership location that complies with the required distance separation requirements of the City’s commercial cannabis ordinance, a security plan and community benefits plan. The CUP applications will be evaluated and reviewed by the Planning Commission. The City continues to proactively deter unpermitted dispensaries through a multi-departmental enforcement effort comprised of the City Attorney/City Prosecutor Office, the Pasadena Police Department, Code Compliance and the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration. To date, the City has closed over 20 dispensaries, 11 in the last year.

We anticipate concluding the review, scoring and identification of the top-scoring applicants for the categories of ‘Testing Laboratories’ and ‘Cultivators’ within the next few weeks. The City is actively working on placing all public information-related documents related to each application on the City website within the coming weeks.

The final application scores for commercial applicants is linked below. Application scores and rankings are final and there is no appeal process.

Cannabis Application Results – Retailers

MARCH 15, 2019 - UPDATE ON APPLICATION REVIEW STATUS

MARCH 15, 2019 – The application window for the City’s commercial cannabis program closed January 31st, 2019. A total of 128 applications were submitted of which 122 applications were submitted for retail licenses, 3 for testing laboratories licenses and 3 for the cultivator licenses.

The applications are currently being reviewed. Upon completion of the application review and scoring, the top applicants for each permit type will be invited for an interview to further clarify the submitted materials. Applicants with the highest scores following both the review of applications and the interview will be identified to submit an application for a land use approval to receive a commercial cannabis permit.

Interviews are anticipated to occur in June, 2019. Up to date information will be available on this page. Questions and inquiries may be directed to: marijuanaregulations@cityofpasadena.net.

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I stay informed on the application selection process?

You may subscribe to our mailing list below to be notified when updated information is available on the application selection process.

What were the results of Ballot Measure CC and Ballot Measure DD?

On June 5, 2018, Pasadena voters approved Ballot Measures CC and DD. Measure CC allows a limited number of cannabis (marijuana) retailers, cultivators, and testing labs to operate within specific zoning areas in the City. Measure DD levies a business license tax on commercial cannabis businesses of up to $10/canopy square foot (for cultivation) and between 4-6% of gross receipts (for retail sales).

When will the City begin accepting applications for commercial cannabis permits?

The application filing period is now closed. Applications were accepted January 1, 2019 until January 31, 2019. Applications are no longer being accepted.

How many commercial cannabis permits will be issued?

Up to six (6) retailers, four (4) cultivation sites, and four (4) testing labs will be permitted to operate at any one time in Pasadena.

Where will a cannabis business be allowed to operate?

A DRAFT map is available for potential retail locations. This draft map is provided for reference only but is not intended to be comprehensive or reliable for the purpose of securing a site. Potential retail sites are subject to the distance separations and zoning restrictions outlined in Pasadena Municipal Code Section 17.050.066, linked at the bottom of this page, and such sites will be verified for compliance with the ordinance upon submission of the use permit application. Only the top candidates will be selected to submit the use permit application. The draft retail cannabis zoning map is available here:

DRAFT Cannabis Retailer Map - December 6, 2018

Can I operate a cannabis business without a permit from the City?

No. A commercial cannabis permit is required prior to opening any cannabis business in Pasadena. Furthermore, a commercial cannabis license issued by the State (Bureau of Cannabis Control, CalCannabis, or the Manufactured Cannabis Safety Branch) is also required prior to opening.

Where can I find the City’s cannabis regulations?

The ordinances permitting and regulating commercial cannabis activity can be found here:

Chapter 5.28: Business Tax

Chapter 5.78: Business License Regulations

Chapter 17.50: Land Use Standards

Title 8: Health & Safety

Applications are no longer being accepted.
The materials listed below are available for reference purposes only.

DOCUMENTS AVAILABLE FOR REVIEW

January 30, 2019 - Questions & Responses (Part 4)

JANUARY 30, 2019 – Due to recent inquiries on the application and application process, additional ‘Questions & Responses’ are now available below.

Questions & Responses (Part 4)

January 25, 2019 - Questions & Responses (Part 3)

JANUARY 25, 2019 – Due to recent inquiries on the application and application process, additional ‘Questions & Responses’ are now available below.

Questions & Responses (Part 3)

January 16, 2019 - Questions & Responses (Part 2)

JANUARY 16, 2019 – Due to recent inquiries on the application and application process, additional ‘Questions & Responses’ are now available below. Also, please note that the ‘Application Review Criteria’ has been revised to correct an error in the calculation for Section 3.

Questions & Responses (Part 2)

December 31, 2018 - The Commercial Cannabis Application Submission Portal

DECEMBER 31, 2018 – The commercial cannabis application submission portal will be available at 12:01 a.m. on January 1, 2019 through 11:59 p.m. on January 31, 2019 via the link below. Also available is the Applicant/Owner Information Form. Please refer to the three other application-related documents posted below on December 14, 2019.

Apply Online

Applicant/Owner Information Form (REVISED 1/3/2019)

December 14, 2018 - The Commercial Cannabis Application Materials (FINAL)

DECEMBER 14, 2018 – The commercial cannabis application materials are now available. Applications will be accepted online beginning on January 1, 2019. Please check back on January 1, 2019 for a link on this page to the application submission portal.

Screening Application Information Packet
Application Review Criteria (REVISED 1/16/19)
Questions & Responses

November 14, 2018 - 2018 Commercial Cannabis Application Workshop

NOVEMBER 14, 2018 – Watch the November 13, 2018 Commercial Cannabis Application Workshop

Workshop Presentation - November 13, 2018

The Commercial Cannabis Application Materials (DRAFT)

NOTE: The FINAL documents are available above in the tab titled “December 14, 2018 – The Commercial Cannabis Application Materials (FINAL)”:

DRAFT Screening Application Information Packet
DRAFT Review Criteria

PROJECT UPDATES

Join Us for a Cannabis Social Equity Community Meeting on May 11th

Share your voice with the City of Pasadena

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I stay informed on the application selection process?

What were the results of Ballot Measure CC and Ballot Measure DD?

When will the City begin accepting applications for commercial cannabis permits?

How many commercial cannabis permits will be issued?

Where will a cannabis business be allowed to operate?

Can I operate a cannabis business without a permit from the City?

Where can I find the City’s cannabis regulations?

DOCUMENTS AVAILABLE FOR REVIEW

Pasadena City Hall

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City Officials

Council Districts

Programs & Divisions

City Services

Affiliated Agencies