District Elections, Pot Businesses On San Rafael Council Agenda

SAN RAFAEL, CA –The San Rafael City Council tonight will discuss switching the city's elections from an at-large system to a district-based system, and will also consider regulating cannabis businesses in the city.

A notice of a possible lawsuit filed by the Malibu law firm Shenkman & Hughes alleges San Rafael's at-large voting system dilutes the ability of minorities to be elected in local elections.

Similar actions have been taken by the firm against other cities around the state, including recently in Santa Rosa.

San Rafael has until Jan. 4 to pass a resolution of intent to change to a district election system, then 90 more days to adopt an ordinance implementing the district elections before a suit can be filed against the city.

The City Council also will hold a public hearing on adopting an urgency ordinance that authorizes licensed medical cannabis delivery, product manufacturing and testing but prohibits non-medical cannabis businesses in the city.

The City Council has the options of adopting the emergency ordinance immediately, taking no action, asking staff to return with more information or modifying and adopting the ordinance immediately.

The meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. at City Hall, located at 1400 Fifth Ave. in San Rafael.

By City News Service / Image via Shutterstock