PACIFIC GROVE, Calif. — The city of Pacific Grove is officially accepting applications for its first commercial cannabis license, signaling a new opportunity for entrepreneurs eager to open a cannabis dispensary on the Monterey Peninsula. From September 15 to October 15, the city’s Planning Division will receive complete applications for the coveted license. Under the city’s ordinances, only one cannabis dispensary will be allowed during this initial phase, making the process highly competitive.
City officials say this is a historic step for Pacific Grove. For years, residents had to travel to neighboring cities to shop at a cannabis dispensary, but that could soon change. The single license on offer will permit a storefront cannabis dispensary to operate legally within city limits, bringing regulated products, tax revenue, and new jobs to the community.
The application window reflects Pacific Grove’s careful approach to cannabis regulation. By limiting the number of cannabis dispensary licenses, the city hopes to balance consumer access with neighborhood compatibility and public safety. Interested businesses must submit thorough proposals outlining how their cannabis dispensary will comply with state and local rules, from security plans to community engagement strategies.
This move follows a regional trend. In neighboring Monterey, Off The Charts made headlines when its cannabis dispensary opened to enthusiastic customers. That success demonstrated strong local demand for a regulated cannabis dispensary and helped normalize cannabis retail along the Central Coast. Pacific Grove leaders are watching closely, hoping their first cannabis dispensary can replicate Monterey’s positive experience.
For prospective operators, winning the license means more than opening a store it means becoming the flagship cannabis dispensary for an entire city. With only one permit available, the selected cannabis dispensary will be uniquely positioned to build customer loyalty and establish a reputation for quality and compliance.
Residents also stand to benefit. A local cannabis dispensary would give Pacific Grove adults access to lab-tested products without the need to drive to other towns. A well-run cannabis dispensary can reduce illicit market activity by offering safe, legal alternatives, while also generating new tax revenues for public services.
Applicants must explain how their cannabis dispensary will integrate into the local fabric, minimize impacts on neighbors, and contribute to the city’s character. This focus on transparency and accountability is designed to ensure the first cannabis dispensary becomes a positive addition to Pacific Grove rather than a source of controversy.
As the October 15 deadline approaches, all eyes will be on which business wins the chance to open the city’s inaugural cannabis dispensary. With strong demand, a prime location on the Monterey Peninsula, and a cautious but open regulatory framework, Pacific Grove is poised to welcome a new era in legal cannabis with its very first cannabis dispensary.