Cupertino aims to extend marijuana moratorium

Cupertino is not quite ready for cannabis.

At its regular City Council meeting on Tuesday, Cupertino staff are expected to recommend extending a moratorium on marijuana dispensaries, related delivery services and grow operations.

After California voters passed Prop. 64 last year legalizing the sale and use of recreational marijuana, the city adopted a moratorium in order to ensure the fate of marijuana in Cupertino remains a local decision.

In June 2017, Gov. Jerry Brown signed SB 94 (the Medicinal and Adult-Use Cannabis Regulation and Safety Act or “MAUCRSA”), which involves new regulations for commercialized cannabis. The regulatory changes have prompted Cupertino officials to request an extension on the city’s moratorium on new cannabis businesses.

Officials say that extending the moratorium would allow the city to study the recently approved legislation — and more time to decide how best to move forward.

For access to the City Council Staff Report, click here.