Fresno smoke shop ordinance decision divides city council

FRESNO, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) – An ordinance aimed astatine applying stricter regulations connected Fresno smokeshops has been changeable down, councilmembers announced Thursday.

The proposal would person unopen down implicit 100 fume shops citywide, allowing a maximum of 7 per assembly territory and capping the fig of businesses astatine 49.

Under the projected regulations, caller fume shops would person had to travel the aforesaid geographical restrictions that are placed connected intoxicant and cannabis retailers, including being prohibited from opening wrong 1,000 feet of schools, parks, and daycare centers. Passing of the ordinance would besides person constricted store hours from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.

According to the proposal's proponents, Arias, Perea and Esparza, galore of Fresno's fume shops person a well-documented past of amerciable activity, including the merchantability of amerciable tobacco, cannabis, firearms, prostitution, and gambling.

However, contempt what the supporting councilmembers telephone "overwhelming evidence" that these businesses "drain important metropolis resources successful enforcement efforts" and "pose a important menace to nationalist health," the connection failed to get a passing bulk vote.