Medical Cannabis Businesses

Measure Z, Citizen's Medical Cannabis Initiative of 2017, was a citizen’s initiative that qualified for the November 2018 ballot through the California elections code process.  Vista voters passed Measure Z at the November 6, 2018 General Election, with 53.81% of voters voting in favor of the measure.  Measure Z enacted Vista Municipal Code (“VMC”) Chapter 5.94, Medical Cannabis Dispensaries, in its entirety.  In accordance with VMC § 5.94.170.B, the City Manager has promulgated regulations and procedures to implement and administer the Chapter. 

VMC 5.94 allows for one medical cannabis storefront per 10,000 (or fraction thereof) residents of the City, as determined by the last Federal Census or as determined by the latest population estimate by the Department of Finance of the State of California, whichever is higher.  There are currently 10 medical cannabis storefronts operating in the City. 

• Registered Cannabis Businesses (updated 11.28.23)
• Map of Registered Cannabis Retailer Locations

Newly Available Medical Cannabis Storefront License NEW

In accordance with VMC 5.94, Medical Cannabis Dispensaries (enacted with the passage of the citizen’s initiative Measure Z), the City intends to accept applications for one new medical cannabis dispensary, bringing the total number of retailers to 11, based on the City’s current population estimate.  Per VMC section 5.94.090(A), the maximum number of medical cannabis dispensaries is limited to one dispensary per 10,000 City residents or fraction thereof.  Accordingly, if the population estimate drops below 100,001 prior to the issuance of a Notice of Completed Registration (NCR), no additional NCR will be issued per the terms of Measure Z.

The application process is outlined in VMC 5.94 and all City Manager Regulations remain applicable.  The application process is for medical cannabis only, delivery and adult-use cannabis are not authorized under VMC 5.94.  Once an applicant has received a Notice of Completed Registration, it may apply for an adult-use permit and/or a delivery permit, if so desired. These additional permits, if approved, will not be issued until a City business license is issued allowing for the medical cannabis dispensary to operate (staff will coordinate this process so that it is done consecutively, on the same day).

Staff recommends reviewing the respective Municipal Code sections, all relevant State regulations, the application packet, and the City Manager’s regulations prior to applying.  Some key points to note:

• Applicants may not have a current storefront.
• Applicants may only submit one application, multiple submissions will result in immediate disqualification from the registration process.
• Applicants must be a non-profit corporation or collective (unincorporated association).
• Medical cannabis businesses may only be located in a C-1 zone (Commercial), C-2 zone (Commercial), C-3 zone (Commercial), RLI zone (Research Light Industrial), M U Zone (Mixed Use), I-P (Industrial Park), or M-1 zone (Light Manufacturing) as designated of the Vista Municipal Code. Medical cannabis businesses are explicitly prohibited in the residential zones: R-1, R-1-B, and R-M. In addition, the business may not be located within 500 feet of an existing storefront or 1,000 feet of a sensitive use. Staff has provided maps identifying existing storefronts and known sensitive uses, however it is the responsibility of the applicant to verify that the location meets the requirements.
• Applicants will be required to submit an application fee of $9,368 and a deposit of $100,000.

Implementation Timeline 

Application Resources

Measure Z/Medical Cannabis Storefront Application 2025

Implementation calendar

Regulation for Submitting Applications for Newly Available Medical Storefront

Map of Sensitive Uses, Existing Businesses, Zoning, and Parcels as of 10.31.2025 (8.5x11)

Map of Sensitive Uses, Existing Businesses, Zoning, and Parcels as of 10.31.2025 (36x48)

List of Known Sensitive Uses as of 10.31.2025

List of Potentially Available Parcels as of 10.31.2025

 Application questions

In order to provide equal access to information, no individual emails or telephone inquiries will be answered. Questions and comments may be addressed to measurez@vista.gov. If a response to an email is considered appropriate it will be posted on a running list of questions and answers posted below, with the most recent question on top.

Questions & Answers (Posted 11/13/2025)

Adult Use Cannabis Businesses

On June 22, 2021, the City Council adopted an ordinance to allow a validly licensed medical cannabis dispensary licensee, in the same physical space as the medical cannabis dispensary, to co-locate a retail commercial adult use cannabis business.  The ordinance went into effect on July 23, 2021, enacting Vista Municipal Code Chapter 5.95.  Retailers must apply for and receive a license from the City of Vista, as well as a license from the California State Department of Cannabis Control, prior to conducting adult use retail. All 10 medical cannabis storefronts are also licensed for adult use cannabis sales.

Resources

• VMC 5.94 Medical Cannabis Dispensaries

• VMC 5.95 Commercial Adult Use Cannabis Businesses

• City Manager Regulations

Forms for current operators

• Expansion of Registered Cannabis Business Application Form
• Relocation of Registered Medical Cannabis Business Application
• Transfer of Medical Cannabis Business License Application Packet 

History

Original Measure Z Implementation Page - History