Fairfax, CA — The Marin Alliance for Medical Marijuana, Fairfax’s oldest cannabis dispensary, is facing an uncertain future as it seeks town approval to relocate after 27 years of operation. On Wednesday, the Fairfax Town Council directed town staff to evaluate potential zoning and permitting changes that could allow the dispensary to move to a new location. This relocation request comes as the dispensary’s current property is set to be sold, with a move-out deadline by the end of the year.
Request for Relocation Amid Pending Property Sale
Lynnette Shaw, founder of the Marin Alliance for Medical Marijuana, submitted a formal petition to the council on September 24, seeking amendments to the dispensary’s conditional use permit and town zoning laws. The dispensary currently operates as a medical marijuana storefront with recreational delivery services at its long-standing location at 6 School St. in Fairfax. However, due to the property’s impending sale, Shaw and her business must vacate by December 31.
“I’m just here to ask for cooperation in the name of compassion,” Shaw said during her petition presentation.
Zoning Challenges and Potential Pathways Forward
The Marin Alliance’s potential move raises a complex set of regulatory challenges. Fairfax’s existing cannabis regulations restrict storefront dispensaries to designated zoning districts, which means that Shaw’s business would need new approvals if it moves out of its current location.
- Application Process: For any new site, the dispensary would need to secure a commercial cannabis business permit, including detailed site and building plans.
- Zoning Approval: Town staff must evaluate the potential impact of relocating the dispensary, and if the initial prescreening passes, it would go through a detailed review by the Planning Commission before a final Town Council vote.
Town Attorney Janet Coleson emphasized that any changes in location would necessitate a full review, citing state laws as part of the regulatory framework guiding the process.
Calls for an Expedited Review Process
Representing the dispensary, attorney Larry Bragman urged the council to consider a streamlined process for longstanding businesses. In a letter to the council, Bragman highlighted the potential impact on the health of medical cannabis users if the business faces delays or complications in relocating.
“This is a very complex and laborious process from which the alliance has been exempt as a legacy business,” the letter read. Bragman suggested that an expedited approval process could help secure uninterrupted service for Fairfax’s medical cannabis users.
Councilmember Bruce Ackerman voiced support for exploring ways to simplify the application process, especially for legacy businesses like Shaw’s. “We would like to make it work,” Ackerman said, “That’s the question—how to make it work, how to expedite it.”
Community Support for Medical Cannabis Services
During the council meeting, Fairfax officials expressed support for ensuring continuity for medical cannabis users. Mayor Barbara Coler shared her endorsement of the dispensary’s medical services, stating that her support lies more with the medical storefront aspects of the business than its recreational delivery services.
Councilmember Lisel Blash also voiced her support, stating, “I’d really like to see this business stay in Fairfax.”
Regulatory Background: Fairfax’s Cannabis Ordinances
The Town Council’s decision will be informed by Fairfax’s existing cannabis regulations, which were set in place in August 2020. The town permits two cannabis retail operations and allows a combination of medical storefronts and recreational delivery services under certain conditions.
Key restrictions include:
- Proximity to Schools and Youth Centers: Walk-in dispensaries must be at least 600 feet from schools and 300 feet from preschools, daycare centers, and tutoring businesses.
- Delivery Service Restrictions: Cannabis delivery services must maintain a distance of at least 250 feet from schools and youth centers.
Next Steps
The town staff’s report, due to be presented to the Town Council in December, will detail the zoning impacts and procedural steps required for the dispensary’s relocation. If approved, the Marin Alliance for Medical Marijuana will proceed with the new application and permit processes, navigating town and state cannabis regulations as they seek to continue serving the Fairfax community.
