Editing Ventura, California (section)

===Cannabis===
{{further|Cannabis in California}}
Following the legalization of cannabis in California, local governments can prohibit companies from growing, testing, and selling cannabis within their jurisdiction by licensing none or only some of these activities but may not prohibit adults from growing, using or transporting marijuana for personal use. The state allows deliveries without local agency licensing at the point of delivery.<ref name="VCS 2019/01/02">{{Cite news|url=https://www.vcstar.com/story/news/2019/01/02/so-far-so-good-legal-marijuana-pot-cannabis-ventura-county/2406687002/|title=So far, so good for legal marijuana sales in Ventura County|last=Martinez|first=Christian|date=January 2, 2019|newspaper=[[Ventura County Star]]|language=en|access-date=June 17, 2019}}</ref> In November 2020, a ballot measure for taxation of cannabis was approved by city voters. The City Council adopted a resolution allowing a maximum number of cannabis businesses in the city in February 2021.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Orozco|first=Lance|date=November 4, 2020|title=Marijuana-Related Tax Proposals Approved By South Coast Voters|url=https://www.kclu.org/post/marijuana-related-tax-proposals-approved-south-coast-voters|access-date=November 5, 2020|work=KCLU News|language=en}}</ref> The ordinances allow up to three retail permits and up to 10 distribution permits.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Woods II |first=Wes |date=July 22, 2022 |title=Potential Ventura cannabis businesses make their case |url=https://www.vcstar.com/story/news/local/communities/ventura/2022/07/19/potential-ventura-cannabis-businesses-make-their-case/10076156002/ |access-date=August 3, 2022 |newspaper=Ventura County Star |language=en-US}}</ref> In October 2022, the City Manager selected four businesses to be allowed to operate in the city after a lengthy application and ranking process. Three retail and one distribution business without a retail component were selected. Two more permits for the city's coastal zone, which includes downtown were considered and rejected after further information requested from the [[California Coastal Commission]] was reviewed.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Woods II |first=Wes |date=January 8, 2023 |title=Appeals put Ventura cannabis operations on hold as frustration sets in |url=https://www.vcstar.com/story/news/2023/01/08/appeals-put-ventura-cannabis-dispensaries-on-hold/69775719007/ |access-date=January 9, 2023 |newspaper=Ventura County Star |language=en-US}}</ref> Once the appeals process is completed, applicants worked with the city on safety, security, odor control and other issues before being able to open for business.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Woods II |first=Wes |date=October 25, 2022 |title=Find out which cannabis businesses will open in Ventura |url=https://www.vcstar.com/story/news/local/communities/ventura/2022/10/25/cannabis-businesses-open-ventura-heres-who-chosen/10590829002/ |access-date=October 26, 2022 |newspaper=Ventura County Star |language=en-US}}</ref> In late June 2023, the three retail businesses that were selected filed a lawsuit against the city for a court order that would end the appeals and force the city to issue them permits. The other five finalists had appealed, resulting in a lengthy delay while the appeal was sent to the California Office of Administrative Hearings.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Biasotti |first=Tony |date=July 14, 2023 |title=After yearslong wait, lawsuit filed as cannabis retailers ready to open in Ventura |url=https://www.vcstar.com/story/money/business/2023/07/14/marijuana-dispensaries-ventura-california-lawsuits-appeals-permits-licenses-legal-cannabis/70402463007/ |access-date=July 15, 2023 |newspaper=Ventura County Star |language=en-US}}</ref> The city decided in late July to issue permits to the three businesses already selected immediately after August 31 and also issue permits to three of the other five finalists.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Biasotti |first=Tony |date=July 28, 2023 |title=Ventura doubles number of cannabis shops it will allow; first of 6 could open in September |url=https://www.vcstar.com/story/news/local/2023/07/28/ventura-cannabis-stores-could-open-in-september/70471456007/ |access-date=August 1, 2023 |newspaper=Ventura County Star |language=en-US}}</ref>