Saturday, July 23, 2022
Qualcan Natural Quality Cannabis is asking to increase the number of marijuana establishments allowed in the city.
The Planning Commission will review Qualcan’s request at its meeting on Wednesday.
The commissioners will discuss whether to increase Carson City’s marijuana establishment cap from two to three dispensaries, and whether to allow drive-through and/or curbside pickup of marijuana products.
If they vote to enact any changes to the municipal code, the Board of Supervisors must also approve the changes.
The item went in front of the board last month but the planning commission didn’t vote, hoping to hear from the public.
“I don’t think we have a good feel for what the community feels,” said Commissioner Teri Preston during last month’s meeting.
The commission in an unofficial vote was 4-3 in favor of increasing the number of cannabis stores.
Qualcan is a cannabis company based in Las Vegas. Representatives Matt and Bruce Robinson said Qualcan already has a site and a special use permit application ready if the Planning Commission and Board of Supervisors allow at least one more retail cannabis store in Carson City. Their site is located on 5100 S. Carson St. near the intersection of Highway 50 and the 395.
Per state law, Carson City is allowed up to four marijuana establishments, but the Board of Supervisors has written the Carson City Municipal Code to only allow two.
Will Adler, a representative for RISE and Sierra Well, the two cannabis suppliers currently established in Carson City, spoke against the proposal last month. He said his clients were told Carson City would not allow additional cannabis stores, and he claimed that there is not consumer demand for more marijuana suppliers.
The commission also will vote on whether to allow drive-through pickup of marijuana products.
The Board of Supervisors considered the issue at a meeting 10 months ago, initially presented as an ordinance banning curbside pickup of cannabis products.
Mayor Lori Bagwell was in favor of the blanket ban, but the other board members outnumbered her. The majority agreed that there are ample safety measures in place for curbside pickup, and they expressed interest in bringing back an ordinance allowing it with restrictions in place.
The Planning Commission agreed with that assessment and recommended an ordinance allowing curbside pickup. However, the commission did not take a vote on whether to allow drive-through pickup of marijuana products.
The commissioners will meet in the Robert “Bob” Crowell Board Room of the Community Center on 851 E. William St. The meeting begins at 5 p.m.
Residents may provide public comment in-person or email publiccoment@carson.org. The meeting will stream live on cable channel 191 and via www.carson.org/granicus.
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