Cannabis - Medical Marijuana Information
The City of Needles has approximately 5,200 residents and is located on the east coast of California. The City of Needles is currently experiencing a significant economic boom because of our affordable land prices and low power rates. Additionally, the City’s expedited permitting process will get your cannabis project through in a timely manner.
Our economic development initiative has attracted a $50 mil. industry cluster and has added 912,135 square feet of land use entitlements which to date has added 20+ new businesses with an active work force of 521 new employees working in our City. The economic growth the City has experienced the last few years has also led to new development which has increased the total property to be valued at $491 Million increased by 44.6% from the 2017 Assessment Roll.
Contact the City’s Planning Department to get your project started today at planning@cityofneedles.com or 760-326-2115 ext. 126.
Any person who is an Owner and/or Operator of a Marijuana Business within the City of Needles shall apply for and obtain a City issued photo identification card, which will only be approved after a fingerprint and background check. The Live Scan requirements for employment at one of these locations can be found here.
The City of Needles processes Live Scan Documents on Tuesdays and Thursdays , between the hours of 8:30 and 11:30. You can find the requirements
here.
Contact information for employment at these facilities can be found here

There are currently the following number of Facility Licenses:
1 Consumption Lounge
3 Manufacturing Facilities
6 Store Front Dispensaries
7 Distribution Facilities
16 Cultivation Facilities
If you are interested in starting your cannabis business in the City of Needles and have any questions the following staff members can assist:
Business Development:
Patrick Martinez
Assistant City Manager / Development Services Director
760-326-2115 ext. 126
Planning Department:
David Christie
Building Department:
Steve Nickles
Building Inspector
760-326-5740 ext. 155
Elena Galindo
Permit Technician
760-326-5740 ext. 135
Regulatory Policy:
Adrian Chavez
Senior Code Enforcement Officer
760-326-5740 ext. 123
Bernard Hatz
Code Enforcement Officer
760-326-5740 ext. 129
Ashlee Smith
Code Enforcement Officer
760-326-5114 ext. 154