Imperial eyes recreational pot

IMPERIAL — The city of Imperial on Wednesday was directed to consider amending its existing cannabis ordinance to allow the sale of recreational marijuana products.

The directive came during the City Council’s regular meeting and was prompted by Councilman Daryl Pechtl, who initially brought the matter to the council’s attention at its Nov. 20 meeting.

Going forward, any proposed amendment will likely be reviewed the city’s planning commission, while a yet-to-be scheduled public hearing would also allow the community to weigh in, city o cials said.

Lastly, any proposed amended ordinance would go before the council for potential approval.

On Wednesday, Councilman Robert Amparano was alone in voting against possibly amending the ordinance.

During the meeting, representatives of the city’s sole cannabis dispensary, March and Ash, spoke in favor of amending the ordinance.

Restricting recreational cannabis sales within the city places the dispensary at a competitive disadvantage against other local cannabis delivery companies who operate within the city yet do not pay it any sales tax, said Bret Peace, March and Ash general counsel.

A report the city received last month stated the dispensary reportedly generated about $116,000 in sales tax in the last quarter, a city o cial said.

State law also currently prohibits cities from preventing cannabis delivery companies from operating within their respective city’s limits, though that law is being challenged in court, Peace said.

If allowed to sell cannabis for recreational purposes, March and Ash would no longer have to require individuals without a physician’s recommendation letter to apply for one onsite in order to make a purchase.

Councilwoman Karin Eugenio on Wednesday said she was in supportive of having the city consider an amended ordinance, while Councilman James Tucker indicated he has been impressed with the way the dispensary has been operating.

Since the dispensary’s opening in August, police have yet to respond to any report of a public safety incident there, police Chief Leonard Barra said in response to a series of questions by Pechtl.

Barra also disclosed that the dispensary does not appear to have had any noticeable negative social impact on the city.

Jon Saco, March and Ash chief operating o - cer, told the council that the dispensary did recently report to local and state authorities the robbery of one of its drivers.

That incident prompted the dispensary to suspend its delivery practices and require that customers initially present themselves in person at the dispensary in order to be extended delivery services, Saco said.

The company also adopted additional protocols to help ensure the safety of its drivers.