Fortuna, the Friendly City, Weighs Welcoming Cannabis Businesses

WElcome sign Fortuna

Fortuna is exploring welcoming cannabis businesses. [Photo by Emily Hobelmann]

In the spirit of economic development for the City of Fortuna, Mayor Pro Tem and local business owner Tami Trent says it’s time to consider lifting the city’s moratorium on legal cannabis businesses. She is organizing a community meeting at the River Lodge sometime in the near future to gather input on such a prospective change.

In early May, Trent explained to us that the event at the River Lodge is basically going to be a publicized city council meeting, and the entire council will be in attendance. The meeting will have an educational component, with a range of cannabis professionals invited to talk shop with attendees.

Trent was initially on board with the city’s outright ban approach when legalization passed in 2016, but now, she says, “It’s been long enough. We need to take another look at this.” She says she has realized that cannabis is not all bad, after all, and there are cannabis businesses out there operating professionally.

“It’s important that people open their eyes and educate themselves,” she said. She said that it is necessary to learn more about the many facets of the industry and how they could fit in to Fortuna.

Trent was at the River Lodge back in February, perusing the Humboldt County Growers Alliance (HCGA) Seed to Sale Pre-Planting Planning Conference that was held on the 22nd.

Councilwoman Trent met a number of local cannabis business people at the event, and she was impressed. This industry foray led Trent to receive an invitation to tour the Humboldt Patient Resource Center (HPRC) in Arcata.

Soon after, when Trent and Fortuna City Manager Merritt Perry headed north to see the HPRC firsthand, she was even more intrigued.

Trent says the HPRC is one of the most professionally run businesses she’s ever seen. “I was so impressed with the track and trace system that they have up there and the security.” Moreover, Trent learned about lab testing requirements and the fact that “flower” refers to bud.

Trent is a beginner when it comes to both cannabis in general and the legal industry, having never worked with or consumed cannabis. The jargon and regulations are all new to her, and she’s learned a lot in the past few months. “It’s been very interesting.”

Why the shift with Trent, in particular? Conversations with constituents over the past few years have helped open her mind to potential upsides of allowing the industry in Fortuna. Plus, Trent believes legalization at the federal level is inevitable. She wants to be prepared.

“It’s not necessarily what I want,” she says pragmatically. “It’s what the majority of the city wants, and it’s about what’s good for the city… It’s all around us anyway, so shutting the doors within Fortuna doesn’t do anything.”

The Fortuna Business Improvement District (FBID) has been hearing about cannabis from its constituents as well, says FBID Executive Director Dianna Rios. In spite of the many vocal and well-known opponents of allowing legal cannabis commerce in the city, Rios has heard appeals for a shift from a number of business owners.

She’s hearing that businesses are struggling due to the general local economic downturn some attribute to legalization. Rios also points out that the number of vacant commercial buildings in Fortuna is higher now than it was at the end of the recession in 2009.

Empty storefront in Fortuna.

Empty storefront in Fortuna. [Photo by Emily Hobelmann]

The transition into the legal market has been challenging for many locals, which is all the more reason to welcome the industry into Fortuna, she says. Perhaps some of the commercial vacancies can be filled with cannabis businesses, and by welcoming this industry, commerce would likely increase at already established shops.

In order to better gauge the sentiments of the broader business community, FBID put out a cannabis survey to Fortuna-area business owners in March. Rios says a preliminary analysis of survey results shows about half of the respondents are ready to see a change toward allowing some kinds of cannabis commerce in town.

If cannabis businesses are eventually allowed in Fortuna, then FBID will do what it can to make them successful. “Our city has been very good with rallying around our fishing industry and the timber industry. I am hoping that we continue to keep supporting each other, even if it’s cannabis. We’re here to help everybody.”

A portion of Fortuna business license holder fees and matching fees from the city funds FBID, and the organization works to create positive economic change and to support Fortuna businesses, as long as they are licensed and legal.

At this point, FBID is still gathering information, much like Trent. Survey results will be analyzed and coupled with feedback gathered at the upcoming city workshop. With all of this data, Rios hopes to clearly outline the wishes of Fortuna business owners.

She’s not convinced that the vociferous “Not in my town” crowd represents the majority, especially since the median age in Fortuna is about 39 years old.

“People are afraid of what they don’t know,” Rios says. If the workshop enables industry experts to offer insight into the history of their businesses, the culture, their dynamics and the regulations around it, then perhaps attitudes will change.

Both Rios and Trent say cultivation businesses are probably not going to fly in Fortuna. Trent put it strongly, saying, “Fortuna won’t be a grow city, we have no room to cultivate here. The smell is too bad.”

She went on to soften her stance a bit, saying, “It’s not that I have any certain thing that we can have or that we can’t have…” But both her and Rios believe manufacturing, distribution and retail facilities will likely be more palatable than cultivation. Ultimately, Trent just wants people to get educated about Fortuna’s options.

Even with the current moratorium, the HCGA event at the River Lodge back in February is proof that the industry is close at hand. As the HCGA represents 282 cannabis businesses, including 230 licensed within the county, the bustling Seed to Sale conference was a good place for Trent to become acquainted with the professional scene.

When reached for comment on the apparently changing tide in Fortuna, HCGA Operations Director Natalynne DeLapp applauded the movement, saying

HCGA commends the city of Fortuna’s exploration of how legal and licensed cannabis businesses could benefit Fortuna’s economy, while also taking into account the values of the people that live there. By providing legal avenues for people to purchase tested and quality assured cannabis, the negative impacts of unregulated cannabis are diminished.

Not only does DeLapp see potential for economic development in Fortuna, she is also pointing out that lifting the moratorium could mean access to legal cannabis products right there in town. (The nearest dispensaries are in Eureka; although dispensaries may open soon in nearby Rio Dell.)

The City of Fortuna’s cannabis workshop will be held at the River Lodge; a press release with details will be released when a date and time are set. In the meantime, Trent hopes to tour other local cannabis facilities, including manufacturing and distribution businesses, and FBID will continue analyzing the results of its survey.

Facebooktwitterpinterestmail

Join the discussion! For rules visit: https://kymkemp.com/commenting-rules

Comments system how-to: https://wpdiscuz.com/community/postid/10599/

Subscribe
Notify of
guest

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

41 Comments
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Willie Caso-Mayhem
Guest
4 years ago

🕯🌳Its about time. I make the best edibles. Coma King.👑👑

a
Guest
a
4 years ago

It IS LONG OVERdue for a fact, I hope they do wake up & see that Cannabis is NOT the “Killer Weed” it has been portrayed as!!!!

tax payer
Guest
tax payer
4 years ago

the times they are a changing …

hmm
Guest
hmm
4 years ago

“She’s hearing that businesses are struggling due to the general local economic downturn some attribute to legalization.”

Is their anyone ho does not attribute the economic down turn to “legalization”?

Brian
Guest
Brian
4 years ago
Reply to  hmm

Me.

some peoples children
Guest
4 years ago

a little late… stupid ass rednecks… all the large investments have already been made. the few companies that are making money are not moving to that town

Guest
Guest
Guest
4 years ago

right… extremely late hopping on that bandwagon

Julie
Guest
Julie
4 years ago

“People are afraid of what they don’t know” ??? Wow! I guess that makes a lot of folks ignorant. Otherwise one might suggest that fear can be due to knowledge, experience, and common sense.

Guest
Guest
Guest
4 years ago
Reply to  Julie

Not all people, historically & typically, it’s usually certain people. Humboldt County gov’t dropped the ball & consciously screwed up an entire industry some of it’s citizens created & perfected.

Sheesh
Guest
4 years ago

Fortuna
The hypocrit community….
Where everyone knows how their bread has been buttered for the last 30+ years, but deny any knowledge or involvement.
Dont let fortuna profit from the industry.
They have always been against us.

In fact…
They owe us a big fat apology!

Cowabunga
Guest
Cowabunga
4 years ago

Sounds like Fortuna is now going to be both Happy and Friendly.

curlybill
Guest
curlybill
4 years ago

It is a hypocrisy.
Make a stand and let your opponent have the opposite stand to see what the voters want.
Frankly, I think the red necks in Fortuna should miss out on this cash cow because of their backwards attitude.

Greed is Good
Guest
Greed is Good
4 years ago

Money! Gotcha!!

For sure
Guest
For sure
4 years ago
Reply to  Greed is Good

The “SMELL”? Really… Don’t we all remember what Eureka used to smell like & put up with cuz it made MONEY? They actually used to call it “the smell of money”, but we called it the smell of cancer. Then, it came to light that there was, in fact, one of the highest cancer rates in the US. Good thing Cannabis helps cancer patients! Get with the science & education…the more you learn @ cannabis, the more you will appreciate how simple & good it can be when used for healthy reasons. CBD is great for arthritis & inflammation! But if your food habits are lousy, you will suffer no matter how much cannabis you ingest.

Rod Gass
Guest
Rod Gass
4 years ago

Yeah it’s funny alright.

Mayor Tami Trent says she got woke to the income from cannabis. Now her partners in prohibition agree that NIMBY to cultivation is gonna make everybody see the best way to more money. Sad.

California Legalization Basics … tax and punish before applying genuine knowledge and experience. The tax collectors have to be protected by deadly force if necessary. There’s absolutely zero requirement of compassion nor feelings of remorse for previous transgressions. Why heck Tami admits, she don’t know anything about people and their relationships with cannabis, just need more business income. What’s going to be your retail market Tami?

Never mind the fact that the Newsom tax scheme is failing to make minimum tax receipts. The landlords and city counsel will profit, they’re dead in the water now.

Excellent and comprehensive reporting Emily.

Faro
Guest
Faro
4 years ago

Glad to see the Fortuna politicians realized their mistake. I wonder how many more empty storefronts it will take for the Humboldt County Stupid-visors to realize that their approach to cannabis has been totally wrong. People should be able to have a 1000 square foot greenhouse on their property without getting an abatement letter.

Putin Pidor
Guest
Putin Pidor
4 years ago
Reply to  Faro

Trevor Bohn, the arrested kidnapper/child abuser son of Humboldt County Supervisor Rex Bohn gets to grow all he wants without any worries of ever receiving an abatement letter, etc. Isn’t nepotism and local political corruption tremendous?

Legal growa
Guest
Legal growa
4 years ago
Reply to  Putin Pidor

Haha I always wondered how it wasn’t conflict of interest with that situation. If you can’t beat them, join them.

guest
Guest
guest
4 years ago
Reply to  Putin Pidor

What! Wow… anyone with stuff like that on their record can get a permit? Are permits are given to people with such criminal records? If that’s true, horrible.

Sharon
Guest
Sharon
4 years ago

Ms trent wouldn’t even sell Hempz products in her business. Lol…haha

FMF
Guest
FMF
4 years ago

Cannabis dollars have always supported Fortuna, it’s time Fortuna supports Cannabis..

SmallFry
Guest
SmallFry
4 years ago

Lol. What do ya wanna bet Estelle has a hand in this? I warned all you Fortuna folks that Estelle would eventually betray you too and here it is.. back room talks about opening up Fortuna to Cannabis. What is the world coming too? Personally, I actually don’t want to see Fortuna go to pot…. However a few Canno clubs a might bring a small amount of funds to Fortuna, which wouldn’t be such a bad thing. I willing to bet putting in large grows on any sorts will get you unelected there.
But.. at this point, I actually don’t think it will do much to help.. the county is on a severe economic downturn and nose dive because of the injustice of the policies they have put in place and are insistent in enforcing. Seriously, I don’t see much reprieve on too much of a level.
This county is sooo seriously backwards.. Abait the Cannabis where it is welcome, and push the Cannabis on communities that are not comfortable with the idea. What an utter mess. Seriously, Growers go to Fortuna to shop and buy things at store fronts or supplies, or eat at restaurants..(luv the sushi) not to ‘buy Cannabis’, and I seriously doubt they will attract many tourists.. plus a ton of competition from Neighboring Towns already… Man.. the Stupervisors really pulled a number on this county didn’t they? Cliff would have been such a better choice. Seriously regretting voting for Estelle. Cliff run please. Take your town back. Kym is going to hate me for this probably.. And I wish I wasn’t saying this.. but I am..

I hadn’t been to Eureka for a while, and I noticed just how many businesses were closed. It was soo sad. Bring pot to Fortuna won’t help now.. The county needed to support the industry it already had and it failed miserably.

Willow Creeker
Guest
Willow Creeker
4 years ago
Reply to  SmallFry

Meanwhile, ‘the people’s republic of arcata’ seems to be doing just fine economically. The green zone is full of activity and new buildings. Not sure if it’ll last in the long run but it’s working for now.

Jeffersonian
Guest
Jeffersonian
4 years ago
Reply to  Willow Creeker

Only because of the college

Willow Creeker
Guest
Willow Creeker
4 years ago
Reply to  Jeffersonian

Well the college doesn’t hurt, but, not sure if the green zone has much to do with that. Eureka has a college too, doesn’t seem to be helping much.
Maybe progressives are better at running a city? Who knows we’ll see

Guest
Guest
Guest
4 years ago
Reply to  Willow Creeker

There’s a lot of buildings for rent & for sale in Arcata, the economy has definitely taken a downturn lately. Many businesses have closed or fast turnovers of new storefronts not staying open long. Fire & Light just went out of business… the only place I’d open a storefront in Humboldt these days is Redway or Garberville.

some peoples children
Guest
4 years ago
Reply to  Guest

its even worse down here

Cmon 2020 elections c'mon justice for the people
Guest
Cmon 2020 elections c'mon justice for the people
4 years ago

Yep the stupidvisors tanked us what a bunch of losers!!!!! Cant wait to see these bafoons trying to find new employment, they should be shunned by all and have to leave the area they ruined for the rest of the population. Estelle I hope you and rex end up groveling for food stamps you slimy thieves!!!!! Virginia bass wouldn’t be able to fly back and forth from Hawaii constantly on our measure o dime.lets eradicate this black cloud from our home !!!!! Only a year till this trash can be disposed of!!!!!!!!!

Willie Caso-Mayhem
Guest
4 years ago

🕯🌳Fortuna needs to grow up and catch up with the times. It can still keep it’s small town appeal and turn that into its attraction for it’s weed business.

As I see It
Guest
As I see It
4 years ago

A lot of retail shops have been affected by the Internet. People shop on-line these days and Amazon has has been one of the major causes of local stores closing. On the subject of cannabis, I for one use it medicinally as I do not do well with pharmaceutical type drugs. I am thankful for the option. It’s like anything in life…moderation and responsible use of product. Alcohol is legal and can be a much worse habit and destructive force for many people .

Willie Caso-Mayhem
Guest
4 years ago

🕯🌳Your right about the retail business they are hurting because of online business, but a small town store appeal can do both and win on both fronts.

trackback

[…] They are weighing whether their ban on cannabis makes any sense in the changing local economy. […]

MadGoogler
Guest
MadGoogler
4 years ago

Wow, strange, I just googled Natalynne DeLapp because I never heard of her or that group before, and I found that she also works for TerraGen who wants to put up 600 foot wind turbines over Rio Dell and Scotia.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s0DUC5BIa1A

Either that Cannabis outfit you say she works for doesn’t pay and she has to sell out to San Diego based corporate types, or she seems to be on both sides of the fence as far as her positions on the environment & cannabis.

Toni Brockington
Guest
4 years ago

What concerns me is the numbers of our “elders” with prescriptions for legal cannabis, but often no transportation. With Fortuna banning both dispensaries, AND deliveries, many seniors have little or no means to access the cannabis, or CBD which gives them relief from everything from cancer to arthritis. Hardly a “Friendly City” for these people!

DELLIB
Guest
DELLIB
4 years ago

Fortuna has been mostly a retirement community for awhile, I could imagine they were raised up in a non-marijuana existence, because the pot stoner craze is focused on the YOUT. As a business owner in the town, I would conclude forcing the pot craze down their throats would lead to a surplus of homes up for sale to add to the loss of businesses!! Maybe more homeless can move in, too, and they can start a needle exchange program. That will make the town hop again…

Guest
Guest
Guest
4 years ago
Reply to  DELLIB

what? Get some sunshine, it’s a good mood boost. There’s been some crazy headlines in the news from Fortuna lately. There’s definitely problems in every city in this County that has nothing to do with cannabis.

Perspective
Guest
Perspective
4 years ago

F@ck Fortuna! 90% of the businesses there have been proper up by cannabis and they still fought it. They are so arcane, they even banned cannabis delivery. Don’t give Fortuna any of your money. Let them shutter every store and become the depressed town they wish to be.

crimestopper2
Guest
crimestopper2
4 years ago

Trent has sold out her voters. Fortuna doesn’t want pot! The moratorium was put in place earlier than 2010 for a good reason and even then businesses were successful. Greed by a handful of whining business people has tainted Trent’s logic(?) and other council(?).
People WANT to move to Fortuna because of the ban. Fortuna is the last bastion of common sense and non-liberal BS..
Greed always wins and destroys good intentions. She’s a business owner-right? Collusion by her cronnies to miraculously boost Fortuna’s economy? HA! Pass the doobie baby you’re nuts!!
Fortuna won’t profit. Only the pot industry will profit.

the riz
Guest
the riz
4 years ago

Fortuna has finally come to the realization that PL is not coming back. Being at the end of Highway 36 has provided lots of local cash, almost every store I have been in has a cash counting machine. There are growers supply places all over the “friendly city.”
The restrictions on personal grows are absurd.

X grower
Guest
X grower
4 years ago

I Grew in fortuna for years. Right under the noses of everyone. And I’m not the only one. While fortuna keeps their head in the sand, the people with the “balls” to grow, will continue to do so. Wether you like it or not Fortuna you are a grow community. It’s to late to enrich your town Fortuna, but not to late for the ones still growing in it.

Willie Caso-Mayhem
Guest
4 years ago
Reply to  X grower

🕯🌳Same here and I make edibles and have been for years. But I’d like to open up a store front for those that do have to travel so they wouldn’t have to travel so far to get quality.