Proposal To Allow Cannabis Shops In Mission Viejo Shot Down By City

MISSION VIEJO, CA — A development plan update that would allow a number of cannabis retailers in the city was shot down by the Mission Viejo City Council, after hearing from over 15 passionate public commenters during the council's Tuesday meeting.

Councilmembers struck down the proposed update to the general plan in a nearly unanimous vote, with Council Member Greg Raths dissenting.

According to a city staff report, the city's planning commission urged that cannabis dispensaries would generate substation sales tax revenues and other fees to Mission Viejo from the "underserved" market.

Some of the closest dispensaries are located in Irvine, but there are some delivery options available to South Orange County residents.

"My vote is going to be no facilities in this city. We have lost a 117,000 people in the United States due to opioid misuse," Council Member Ed Sachs said during the meeting. "[And cannabis] is an entry level drug... How do we as a council support the 'Walk Against Drugs' while we support bringing drugs into our community? That makes no sense whatsoever to me."

This is a developing story. It will be updated with more details.