California cities, counties OK pro-cannabis measures, paving way to scores of new licenses

Election Day not only ushered in marijuana legalization wins in five states, it also brought more than two dozen victories at the city and county levels in California, opening the door to new local markets for cannabis businesses up and down the state.

All told, there were at least 37 marijuana ballot questions in 35 cities and counties, according to tallies by California NORML and San Jose-based retailer Caliva.

Of those initiatives, 31 were approved by voters, potentially setting the stage for perhaps hundreds of new business opportunities.

Caliva’s director of government affairs, Hirsh Jain, said he stands by a prediction he made in August that together the measures could result in 100-150 new retail licenses as well as permits for cultivation, manufacturing and other plant-touching business types.