Hopes high in Beach Cities for retail pot pioneers
By Dan Blackburn In 2017, Hermosa Beach, Manhattan Beach, and Redondo Beach each banned retail sales of cannabis, joining a third of California cities – about 162 — with prohibitions. Catalyst Cannabis Co. is seeking to lift the local bans through the initiative process. Last week, the Los Angeles County-Recorder certified the company’s signature gathering effort for an initiative that would allow three cannabis stores in Redondo Beach. The company has announced its intention to launch similar initiative efforts in Hermosa Beach, Manhattan Beach and El Segundo. Like Redondo’s City Council, (see related story page 14), Hermosa Beach officials are considering drafting an ordinance to compete with the Catalyst initiative, one that would more “favorably serve” the city’s needs, according to officials. A citizens’ committee is being formed to help draft the ordinance. Catalyst CEO Elliot Lewis said his company would like to see cities move more quickly on licensing retail shops, but “sooner rather than later, there will be cannabis shops in the South Bay.” “Every city we’ve ever opened in loves us,” Lewis said. “Whether it’s been contentious or not, we’re always the favorite operator.”…
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