UPDATE (5:30 p.m., 10/11/18) – The San Luis Obispo County Planning Commission on Thursday approved a Conditional Use Permit for GMFL, Inc. and Sungrown Wellness, Inc. to establish a cannabis distribution facility and mobile delivery dispensary on El Camino Real in Santa Margarita.
(10/8/18) – Santa Margarita could be the latest community to see a new cannabis business.
Sungrown Wellness is a medical delivery service hoping to set up shop on El Camino Real, right at the entrance of the small town.
“It’s going to be very low key. If you didn’t know about this beforehand, you wouldn’t know what was going on here,” said Sungrown Wellness owner Sommer Shahan. “It will be a hub where the product is stored. The drivers will come, receive their orders and then head back out for the day to deliver to medical patients.”
They’re hoping the San Luis Obispo County Planning Commission will approve their conditional use permit on Thursday.
The location falls in an industrial zone, which is in line with county guidelines.
Residents who live across the street from the potential business say they’re concerned about security and what type of crowd the business may bring to the area.
Other neighbors, who use medicinal cannabis, welcome it with open arms.
“I’ve done deliveries and I think it’s been very discreet for everybody – for myself and our neighbors or anyone around us. It just needs to be used responsibly, just like everything else,” said Krista Pelletier, Santa Margarita resident.
Sungrown Wellness owners say they’re following strict state and county security standards, which means they’ll have 24-hour live feed security cameras, fencing secured with wires, and more.
“It’s important for us because this is our livelihood, so we want to make sure it’s adequate for us but also up to state standards,” Shahan said.
Shahan says they plan to stay discreet, so they won’t have any signage or advertisement. The only cars going in and out will have to go through electric fencing in the back.
If the plan is approved on Thursday, they’ll still need to work to become ADA compliant and install security measures. It’ll likely be months before they’re ready for business.
