San Diego marijuana firms object to new regulatory proposals

San Diego cannabis business executives are criticizing newly proposed cultivation, manufacturing and testing rules that the City Council put forward last week, saying they are overly strict.

The executives singled out a proposed cap that would limit the number of grow and manufacturing companies to 18 in the city, the San Diego Union-Tribune reported.

Also, each of San Diego’s nine City Council districts would have its own cap of two cultivation and manufacturing businesses.

Critics said the cap would undermine the city’s goal of producing its own cannabis supply, and could trigger a product shortage, the paper reported.

The council president, meanwhile, postponed a hearing on the proposed rules from July 31 to Sept. 11.

San Diego’s planning director criticized the move, saying it would hurt the city’s chances of having regulations ready when California’s state recreational marijuana program launches in January.

In addition to the license cap, some critics targeted city rules prohibiting grow and manufacturing businesses from being within 1,000 feet of youth-related places like schools and playgrounds, since grows don’t offer public access like retailers, according to the Union-Tribune.

In a related development, the city also approved its 16th dispensary on Thursday.