Encinitas voters appear to be going against a generally fidgety City Council when it comes to allowing cannabis businesses in the city, according to returns from the Nov. 3 election.

Measure H — which would allow commercial cannabis activities, with some restrictions, from retail and cultivation to manufacturing — was headed to a close victory with voters’ approval 51.17% to 48.83%, just at the minimum required to pass, based on county Registrar of Voters preliminary results as of 12:30 p.m. Wednesday.

The City Council declined to take a position on the measure at its June 17 meeting.

City Council members have largely panned the idea of allowing legal cannabis operations in the city despite a statewide law allowing such activities — Proposition 64, which California voters approved in 2016.

If Measure H is officially approved, it would allow the following in city limits:

Cannabis retailers in specified commercial zones for retail sales and delivery, with location and operational restrictions.

Commercial cannabis cultivation in agricultural zones that must be inside buildings and greenhouses and not visible from streets and sidewalks.

Non-edible product manufacturers in business parks, light industrial parks and agricultural areas, without the use of volatile solvents.

Cannabis kitchen sites in business parks, light industrial parks and general commercial zones; cannabis concentrate extraction not allowed.

Restricted industrial hemp cultivation in agricultural zones.

encinitas current, cardiff current