Costa Mesa is moving closer to its limit of 35 cannabis shops as planning commissioners recently approved a new retailer called “Green Mart.” This decision was made during the February 24 Planning Commission meeting, where the vote passed narrowly at 3-2. However, local residents are expressing concerns about the potential oversaturation of cannabis shops in the city.
Following the approval, property owners nearby submitted an appeal to contest the decision, highlighting worries about increased traffic, parking difficulties, and the overall compatibility of the new shop’s operations with the surrounding area. The city council is expected to address this appeal in their upcoming meeting on Tuesday, deciding whether to uphold the planning commission’s approval or to reverse it.
Costa Mesa has been navigating the complexities of cannabis shop regulations since 2020, when it became one of the first cities in Orange County to legalize cannabis sales. Initially, there was no cap on the number of shops, but in 2024, the city council instituted a limit of 35 stores to manage potential oversaturation. Commissioner Davis Martinez reminded attendees during the February meeting that the city is adhering to this limit, stating, “Like city council has said, we’re going to go up to 35, so you have to go by what they’re saying, so it’s fine.”
Cannabis sales are viewed as a significant source of tax revenue for cities, which can fund essential community services. In various Orange County cities, millions generated from cannabis taxes have been allocated to public safety, youth programs, and library services. Commissioner Jon Zich noted the importance of supporting the new shop’s application, commenting, “The residents voted; they wanted retail cannabis in the city, the city put together an ordinance (and) your application complies with that.”
