Medical marijuana shop applications gaining popularity in Santa Ana

SANTA ANA, Calif. (KABC) -- Medical marijuana dispensaries will soon be operating in the city of Santa Ana after voters approved Measure BB. Now applications are being accepted, creating a blueprint of sorts for marijuana dispensaries in the city.

Former Studio City pot shop owner Mike Kalajyan is one of dozens who are lining up to apply to open a medical marijuana dispensary in Santa Ana. He admits he's not familiar with the city.

"The rules are perfect over here. That's what I'm saying. That's why I came all the way here," Kalajyan said.

The rules were approved by voters through Measure BB last November.

"I think we've come up with a set of regulations that keeps enough distance from one another, one collective from another," said Santa Ana Mayor Pro Tem Vincent Sarmiento.

A map shows where dispensaries are allowed - two industrial spots are shaded in purple. The shops must be at least 500 feet from each other and 1,000 feet from a school, home or a park.

"I think that it's appropriate so our children aren't walking past the collectives. We know what we're getting as a medication," said Tiffany Bailey, who uses medical marijuana to ease arthritic pain.

About 90 pot shops exist in Santa Ana, even though they've been banned for several years. Under Measure BB, that number could drop to about 15 next year.

"I call it the great marijuana race," said John Nguyen, a Santa Ana resident.

The "race" includes an application fee of nearly $1,700 and background checks. An independent company will choose the businesses by lottery.

"It's insane, right? It's really, really hefty, but in the end it's worth it," Nguyen said.

The city plans to collect 5 percent of gross sales receipts or about $1.5 million per year from the pot shops. That's money the city says it plans to use to hire several more police officers to handle enforcement.

People have about a month to submit an application. The lottery will be held Feb. 5.