Fresno’s Mayor Lee Brand has vetoed a new version of the regulations on the cannabis industry.
The California Mayor issued his fourth ever veto Monday.
“We agreed on a path forward, so we’re going to be making some adjustments,” said Fresno council member Miguel Arias. According to Arias, the four complaints listed by Brand can be addressed.
He and the rest of the council majority can rewrite the regulations that would give Brand a requirement for businesses to keep surveillance video for 90 days instead of seven. The council will also let Fresno police chief Andy Hall make security recommendations.
The regulations had also wanted to give some priority to low-income people and local, mom-and-pop operations.
“The biggest objection I had was giving people convicted of crimes first in line to open up a dispensary instead of people who have demonstrated they know how to run businesses,” remarked council member Garry Bredefeld.
“They paid the price by being criminalized,” said Arias. “Now that everybody’s reaping the financial benefits, they should have a shot at getting a job, getting a license and being able to operate in this industry that’s now legal.”
“What we want to do is encourage as many local residents to benefit from the industry, especially those who have been unable to fill a job or find a job, those who are formerly convicted of non-violent drug crimes, those who are on public assistance, (former) foster youth,” said Arias.
Arias expects to be able to pass revised regulations by the end of January.
