Recommendation to declare ordinance amending Long Beach Municipal Code by amending Sections 5.90.030 and 5.90.060, by adding Section 5.90.310; and, by amending and restating chapter 5.92, all relating to the regulation of cannabis retail storefront (dispensary) business licenses and the Cannabis Social Equity Program, read and adopted as read.  (Citywide)
Item 33 is a report from City Attorney Recommendation to declare ordinance amending the Long Beach Municipal Code relating to the regulation of cannabis, retail, storefront business licenses and the cannabis social equity program read and adopted as read. City Grade has been moved and seconded. Is there any public comment on this? We have Rena McLendon and Edgar Cruz. Please approach the podium. Reports must be. Hello. My name is Raina McLendon, and I'm a social equity applicant. First of all, I want to thank you all for allowing me to speak, to express my situation. I think it's unfair to disqualify me from the social equity program because another member of my household is also a social equity applicant. When I first applied, I was told by the campus oversight that I would be able to apply for a dispensary and delivery license. I have fully participate in the program. I was awarded the location grant. I attended the Entrepreneurship Academy classes and was given a certificate from the mayor's office. I do understand that I'm not going to be able to receive any more grant funding due to the state's new policies. But if I have my own investor and put my own money into the licensing process and the property buildout, I should at least be able to have the opportunity to present to the RFP and apply for dispensary and delivery license. I just want to say I just want the same opportunity as all the other equity applicants to go forward and put in a proposal to the RFP. I have spent a lot of time and money getting ready for the the cannabis dispensary license to be available. I have hired a consultant and spend long hours on my business plans and supplies. So what I'm asking today is for the City Council to change the ordinance from only one equity applicant per household. That is on page 147 and to proposal number three. A proposal may only be submitted by one equity applicant per household as defined in BMC Chapter 5.92 to all equity applicants can apply for dispensary license me and the other applicant in my household when I joined at the hip and I just want equal opportunity. Thank you. Thank you. Next speaker, please. Good evening, Catherine. Steph. My name is Attica Cruz, social equity recipient and founder of the Cannabis Companies Council of Long Beach, where we focus on cannabis, social equity, community redevelopment within our jurisdiction. For the past two weeks, I have seen transparency within Council City staff as well as divisions that focus and handle the equity program to ensure retail opportunities move forward in a timely manner. Within the past couple of years, I've also witnessed and been part of the creation and achievements of new growth initiatives for equity entrepreneurs and the community within the City of Long Beach to provide accessibility within the cannabis space. What I ask, what I have also seen within these past recent council meetings is frustration, raise concerns and anger from our community, social equity advocates and recipients within the program. As we are moving forward with eight wonderful opportunities for individuals like myself, I also would like to address that we continue our work and create new initiatives beyond the retail aspect and also focus on licensing opportunities. Equity applicants already have and still find many barriers to reach those opportunities, such as Green Zone expansion for all license types of suitability for equity. There are many initiatives we as a city can introduce to establish a more solid foundation for the equity program. As we see, unfortunately, Emily Armstrong will no longer be with us effective May 27th. I would challenge our councilmembers and staff members to continue to provide transparency and dedication to the progression of our social equity program. I would also like to add, while some unintentionally impede on our programs progression, I share that there are some that will continue to do the work and continue to make obligations ensuring that we can move forward, understanding that accountability, transparency is our focus. I would like to point out and appreciate the work and efforts cannabis oversight has done within these past couple of months, as well as city and staff and economic development. On behalf of L.B. Tripathy, we would like to personally thank Emily Armstrong for being part of this journey. Thank you guys for your time. Thank you, Mr. Crews. So that that public comment. Conclude the public comment. That concludes public comment. I'm taking it back behind the rail. Any comments from the council? This is our opportunity. This is the last reading, final reading of this ordinance that will pass members less vote this. The motion is carried. Great. Moving on to the next item. 39.