The City of Vista, California, has had a somewhat rocky history with cannabis dispensaries.
In the not-so-recent past, Vista devoted significant resources to the persistent issue of unlicensed dispensaries within city limits.
The dispensaries claimed their operations were valid under Proposition 215.
But regardless of state law, none of the businesses had dispensary licenses from Vista because they didn’t exist.
At the time, Vista was spending more than $1 million annually to fight the unlicensed shops.
But in 2018, voters passed Measure Z, which allowed up to eleven dispensaries to operate in Vista.
Voters chose Measure Z over the city’s competing initiative, Measure BB, which would have only licensed up to three dispensaries.
Measure Z has not only allowed dispensaries to operate legally and properly in Vista but it’s changed the city’s attitude.
“Measure Z has been 100 percent effective in removing the illegal cannabis trade from our city,” says Green. “While becoming a tremendous community benefit contrary to skeptics’ concerns.”
Legalization has Benefitted Vista
Green says the dark side of cannabis legalization that some were concerned about hasn’t happened in Vista.
Green says licensing retail cannabis shops has created jobs for Vistans and positively impacted the community.
“Each of our 11 dispensaries is helping to revitalize several areas of our community and are providing safe, reliable access to medical and recreational cannabis in comfortable and friendly environments,” says Green. “The industry has evolved into treating everything from insomnia, PTSD, and other mental health conditions to relief from aching joints and gluten intolerance.”
In a city that used to spend a lot of time, money, and effort shuttering dispensaries, it now promotes them.
The promotion involves a little catchy branding and a new film highlighting local cannabis shops and their safe, legal operation.
Once the subject of continued conflict, Vista’s dispensaries are now the subject of the California Cannabis Corridor documentary premiering April 15.
The trailer is now available for viewing on the official web page.
The film, produced in collaboration with GuideMe.Tours, offers a behind-the-scenes look at Vista’s licensed cannabis shops.
The video spotlights five Vista dispensaries (Wellgreens, Coastal Wellness, Tradecraft Farms, Off The Charts, and Hello Cannabis) and their benefit to the city.
Aside from their positive financial impact, shopping at Vista’s dispensaries is now open and inviting—like neighborhood shops should feel.
The vibe is a definite departure from the speakeasy feel of Prop 215 dispensaries.
Vista estimates its dispensaries will generate $9 million in tax revenue during the 2023-24 fiscal year.
The city intends to use the funds for health clinics, community events, new parks, and homeless relief.
Green says he wants to share his message with the local community and the rest of the nation.
“Cannabis is coming,” says Green. “There’s gonna be regulations coming down, possibly in your city—and know that it’s not all bad. It’s something that can make a positive impact on your city and on your community as a whole.”