Dixon Wellness Collective Cannabis owner Haley Andrew points to her husband in the crowd, who she notes supports her but is not a partner in the all-female-owned business. Photo courtesy of the Territorial Dispatch

DIXON, CA (MPG) - Cannabis commerce contains specific security measures. 

Dixon Wellness Cannabis Collective was up for discussion at the Planning Commission meeting on Sept. 12, with elected officials discussing amending a previously approved conditional-use permit that first required bulletproof glass.

“We do not eliminate the bulletproof glass component but there are acceptable alternatives such as a pony wall,” associate planner Scott Greeley said.

Before reviewing the application, Planning Commission Chair Jack Caldwell and Commissioner Randy said they toured 1150 N. 1st St., suites B and C. A staff report cites the 2018 permit allowing the business to open and the early 2024 Dixon Police Department security inspection.

Along with police department compliance, the report cites “a few issues related to their approved security plan, explicitly citing the lack of security, ballistic, and glass around the reception station.”

Before discussing any matter, Commissioner Frank Drayton wanted to know how the business could go nearly six years without an inspection.

While Community Development director Raffi Boloyan, who quickly reviewed documents, could not find mandated annual inspections, Police Chief Robert Thompson cleared up the matter virtually.

“I am not going to discuss our inspection schedule or regime in specifics,” Thompson said over the phone. “I am sure you can understand that for security reasons, those are not things we want in the public space.”

The store owner, Haley Andrew, said the last time that her all-female-owned business was inspected was in 2023.

However, due to “bad actors,” the police chief added that publicizing security plans can be detrimental since “they can learn how to exploit security” at a business, specifically cannabis commerce locations.

“Each of these locations and premises are evaluated on unique characteristics of their business,” Thompson said.

As currently configured, the police chief said, “security protocols in place would prevent someone from effectively ceasing control of the facility.”

While the plan is not his preference, Thompson said he agrees “to live with” creating a pony wall that provides a degree of separation from danger.

“That will give staff in the interior of the building time to react to the threat that is presented because the pony wall creates a natural delay,” Thompson said, adding that the department uses a subject matter expert who provides recommendations for specific sites.

“One business that operates in a stand-alone building, for example, might have very different conditions than one that shares walls with other businesses,” Thompson said.

Andrew discussed her own conditions and upgrades at length from the podium.

“Now we have active man traps and a completely-updated whole alarm system,” Andrew said, adding that other upgrades included six panic buttons at each register and reception desk and a ring camera at the front door.

Andrew called her relationship with the police department “great.”

“This is just a little hiccup we had to get through,” Andrew said, adding the store might have to alter hours just for the day to make the improvements.

Associate planner Greeley said, “If there are any future changes to the plan or modifications, the applicant must provide those plans and materials to the State Department of Cannabis and inform the city of those changes.”