Cannabis company has high hopes ahead of Hanford vote on medical marijuana cultivation

HANFORD, Calif. (KFSN) -- It has been four months since bay-area based company Purple Heart canceled its plans to buy the old Pirelli Tire Factory on Idaho Avenue. But another cannabis company called Genezen is interested in a different property down the street.

If Hanford City Council Members vote to amend their codes to allow medical marijuana cultivation in the city's industrial zone Wednesday night, Genezen could soon call Hanford home.

"We're looking at a campus setting where folks can do cultivation, extraction or manufacturing, a bakery, and certainly cultivation and propagation and cloning," said Randi Knott, Genezen.

Genezen, and San Jose based Caliva, have given the city $50,000 each to cover the costs of crafting the complex ordinance. City Manager Darrel Pyle said that doesn't guarantee either company would receive a permit.

Council Members will select the top candidates, and the city will charge them permit fees to cover the costs of regulating the new industry.

"We would anticipate fees to cover the cost of substantial background checks for employees and principals in these industries, as well as site inspections to make sure any volatile compounds are being managed and controlled," said Pyle.

To manage what the city can handle, Pyle said they will limit the number of permits they issue right away, but they can always add more-- especially if he can hire additional planners. The permits will be good for one year, with the opportunity to renew.

"I think council's only concern in terms of the number of permits issued are we want viable entities operating this industry in the industrial park, we want success for everybody," said Pyle.

Knott, Genezen Public Affairs Director, said if council does change the rules, and if they receive a permit, they will hire locally, and pay well. They could also generate revenue for the city if voters pass a tax measure next year.

"We don't purport to say hey we're going to come save Hanford, what we want to do is become part of the community and create another opportunity for folks to have jobs and a reason for kids to come back after college and have a job they can go to."

If approved, the new ordinance would have another reading at the next council meeting on July 18th and be effective 30 days after that.