Although medicinal and recreational cannabis is legal in California, not every city allows cannabis sales.

That’s been the case for the Hayward until this week.

The city council has opened the door for growers and eventually cannabis sales.

Eleven businesses, for months, have been vetted by Hayward.

And independent consultants have been approved for a cannabis business permit.

That permit could eventually allow them to produce and sell marijuana within city limits.

“I think that it’s good because it’s helped me through cancer,” Cannabis supporter Jewelz Stoneking said. “It’s helped several people I know. I think it does need to be monitored, and you know, regulated. However, I agree with all  of this.”

The approved businesses still have to apply for a conditional use permit and detail how they plan to operate.

As of now, Mayor Pro Tem Elisa Marquez says these businesses don’t have the right to set up a dispensary.

Initially, only deliveries would be allowed.

“Right now, they do not have permission to operate until they’re actually granted the authority to be zoned in a specific place, and we’ve already determined where we want these businesses established in our industrial corridor and certain areas of our downtown,” Marquez said. “So, they will not be in the neighborhoods of Hayward.”

On Tuesday, the city council approved the business permits by a vote of 6-1.

Councilman Mark Salinas was the lone no vote.

“My issue is that on one hand, we’re trying to bring a diverse retail base in downtown, but I’m afraid that diverse retail base won’t come to downtown anymore because you have cannabis,” Salina said.

The city says it could take months before the businesses are issued conditional use permits if they pass the next stage of vetting.

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