On November 8, 2016, California voters passed Proposition 64, the Control, Regulate, and Tax Adult Use of Marijuana (“AUMA”) Act. This law legalizes nonmedical, recreational marijuana, subject to the regulation of local government jurisdictions in the State of California.
For cannabis-related inquiries, please contact James Troyer, City Planner, at jtroyer@madera.gov or (559) 661-5476.
Friday, April 15, 2022: Application filing period to open for all permit types
Tuesday, April 19, 2022 - 1:00-3:00pm: Zoom informational kick-off meeting for:
View Meeting Recording: https://youtu.be/ih_UtPd-SMs
Thursday, April 21, 2022 - 1:00-3:00pm: Zoom informational kick-off meeting for Social Equity applications
View Meeting Recording: https://youtu.be/ih_UtPd-SMs
Monday, June 20, 2022: Permit Application window will close for all permit types
Jun. 21 – 23 - Phase I Determination Eligibility:
City to send HdL applications, HdL to evaluate applications for completeness
Jun. 24 - 29 Phase I Notifications:
Notices to be emailed to all applicants reporting status of eligibility. Applicants with Complete applications will be advised they are proceeding to Phase II. Applicants missing minor submittal requirements will be given five(5) days from the date of the email to submit required information.
Jun. 30 – Jul. 10 Phase I Appeal Request Period:
Applicants may appeal to the City Manager within ten (10) days of the applicant receiving notice they will not move forward in the application process.
Jul. 11 – Jul. 29 Phase I Appeal Hearings (as needed)
Jun. 24 – Aug. 19 Phase II Application Evaluation and Review:
Applications assigned to HdL staff for evaluation and review
Aug. 19 HdL to transmit defined deliverables.
Aug. 20 – 26 City to review Phase II results
Aug. 26 Phase II Notifications:
Notices to be emailed to all applicants reporting the status of their application. The top ten (10) applicants who score a minimum of 90% or higher may be eligible to advance to Phase III.
Aug. 29 – September 26 Phase II Appeal Request Period
Applicant’s may appeal to the City Manager within ten (10) days of the applicant receiving notice they will not move forward in the application process.
Sept. 6 – Sept. 20 Phase II Appeal Hearings (as needed)
Sept. 20 – Oct. 4 Phase III Public Meeting:
(Phase III will not commence until the City has received a ruling on all appeals)
Oct. 10 – 14 Phase IV City Council Interviews and Final Decision
Jan. 3, 2023 – Phase II Application & Review Scores
DEFINED HdL DELIVERABLES
1. Background Summary Report – One spreadsheet listing the background results of all owners listed by business
2. Individual Background Reports – One report for each completed background
3. Application Evaluation Reports – One Evaluation report for each business application
4. Phase II Score Report – One-page Score report designed to rank all business applications highest to lowest by points and score percentage
The ordinances permitting and regulating commercial cannabis activity in the City of Madera can be found here:
Ord 976 C.S. Cannabis 06.16.21
Ord 977 C.S. Cannabis 06.16.21
Res 20 80 HdL Companies Cannabis
Res 21 63 Initiating Text Amendment Zoning MMC Cannabis
Res 21 123 HdL Companies 09.01.21
Res 21 167 Cannabis Number & Type Of Permits 12.01.21
Res 21 168 Cannabis Fees For Commercial Permits 12.01.21
Res 21 169 Cannabis Procedure Guidelines 12.01.21
Res 22 10 Cannabis Business Tax Rates 01.19.22
Applications:
Property Owner Consent Landlord Affidavit
Madera Cannabis Business Application Social Equity
Financial Responsibility And Indemnification Agreement
Cannabis Business Application Standard Vertically Integrated
Business Ownership Acknowledgement
Application Guidelines:
Application Procedures And Guidelines Vertically Integrated
Application Procedures And Guidelines Standard
Application Procedures And Guidelines Social Equity
Please confirm if a Labor Peace Agreement is required to submit with an application or not?
The Labor Peace Agreement is not required to be submitted with the original application. Pursuant to Ordinance 977 C.S., 6-5.13 (G), applicants that have not yet entered into a labor peace agreement shall provide a notarized statement indicating that within 30-days of cannabis permit from the City, the applicant will enter into and abide by the labor peace agreement.
Could you please specify the proof of insurance requirements?
The Commercial Cannabis Business Application requires the applicant to, at minimum, show proof of insurability. Actual insurance policies do not need to be submitted but will be required prior to the awarding of the business permit. A simple letter on company letterhead stating that the applicant is eligible to be insured upon the issuance of a cannabis permit would be acceptable.
If any applicant entity is 100% owned by another entity, should the owners of the owning entity be disclosed on the Ownership Form? How do we not make it confusing and disclose both the entity that owns 100% and all owners that own a different percentage of the head entity?
Yes. The applicant should provide a detailed description of the ownership structure. If the applicant is an entity then all entities and individuals with a financial interest in the entity shall be disclosed to the City and may be considered owners of the commercial cannabis business as defined in Ordinance 977 C.S., 6-5.06 Definitions (T)(6). This includes all entities in a multi-layer business structure, as well as the chief executive officer, members of the board of directors, partners, trustees, and all persons who have control of a trust and managing members or non-member managers of the entity. Each entity disclosed as having a financial interest must disclose the identities of persons holding financial interests until only individuals remain.
Will only the owners disclosed on the Ownership form be allowed to interview?
Yes. Only the owners disclosed on page 3 of the Commercial Cannabis Business Application will be allowed to participate in the interview process.
Will managers who do not own any equity or financial interest and are not included on the ownership form be allowed to interview?
No. Managers who do not own any equity or financial interest or are not disclosed on page 3 of the Commercial Cannabis Business Application will not be allowed to interview.
Where can we find a detailed score breakdown of each section?
HDL’s evaluation report will be disclosed on future FAQs prior to the June 20, 2022, close date.
Do we have to provide proof of residency?
Yes. Pursuant to page 12 of the Application Procedures and Guidelines Standard, applicants attempting to prove compliance with the local ownership requirement need to show verifiable evidence by way of mortgage statements, lease agreements, tax bills, utility bills, or any other documentation capable of established residency prior to the June 1, 2021 date.
For more information, please visit our Additional Cannabis Resources page.