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Medical cannabis dispensary ("MCD") as defined by Section (f) of the San Francisco Health Code.
(a) Requirements. MCDs must meet all of the following requirements:
(1) The parcel containing the MCD cannot be located within 1,000 feet from a parcel containing:
(A) a public or private elementary or secondary school; or
(B) a community facility and/or a recreation center that primarily serves persons under 18 years of age;
(2) The MCD is not located on the same parcel as a facility providing substance abuse services that is licensed or certified by the State of California or funded by the Department of Public Health;
(3) No alcohol is sold or distributed on the premises for on or off-site consumption;
(4) If medical cannabis is smoked on the premises the dispensary shall provide adequate ventilation within the structure such that the doors and windows are not left open for such purposes, resulting in odor emission from the premises;
(5) In addition to these requirements, an MCD must meet all of the requirements in of the San Francisco Health Code.
(b) Application and Referral Process. The Department of Public Health is the lead agency for regulating MCDs. Final City permits are issued by the Department of Public Health. No dispensary may open without final authorization from the Department of Public Health. The Planning Department will review an application for a Medical Cannabis Dispensary only upon receipt of (1) a valid referral from the Department of Public Health pursuant to Health Code Section and , (2) supplemental application materials, if any, designated by the Planning Department, and (3) a building permit application.
(c) Notice. Once the Department has determined that the application is complete, a 30-day notice of application shall be mailed to owners and occupants within a 300 foot radius of the subject property. Notice shall be posted on the project site for no less than 30 days.
(d) Hearing. A Mandatory Discretionary Review hearing will be scheduled at the Planning Commission, which may choose to exercise its discretionary review powers and disapprove, modify, or approve the dispensary.
(e) Signage. Signage for the medical cannabis dispensary shall be limited to one wall sign not to exceed ten square feet in area, and one identifying sign not to exceed two square feet in area; such signs shall not be directly illuminated. Any wall sign, or the identifying sign if the medical cannabis dispensary has no exterior wall sign, shall include the following language: "Only individuals with legally recognized Medical Cannabis Identification Cards or a verifiable, written recommendation from a physician for medical cannabis may obtain cannabis from medical cannabis dispensaries." The required text shall be a minimum of two inches in height.
(f) Abandonment. If an MCD closes for a duration longer than 18 months or if the MCD's license is revoked by DPH pursuant to Health Code Section , the MCD will be considered abandoned and any Planning Commission authorization for the parcel shall be null and void.
(g) Permit Statement. Any permit issued for a medical cannabis dispensary shall contain the following statement in bold-face type: "Issuance of this permit by the City and County of San Francisco is not intended to and does not authorize the violation of State or Federal law."
(Added by Ord. 275-05, File No. 051250, App. 11/30/2005; Ord. 225-06, File No. 060032, Effective without the signature of the Mayor; Ord. 225-07, File No. 070677, App. 10/2/2007; Ord. 90-08, File No. 080232, App. 5/21/2008; Ord. 140-11, File No. 110482, App. 7/5/2011, Eff. 8/4/2011)
AMENDMENT HISTORY
Section amended in its entirety; Ord. 140-11, Eff. 8/4/2011.