Cannabis owners and employee criminal background.
Riverside Municipal Code § 5.77.080
in effect5.77.080 - Cannabis owners and employee criminal background.
A. Any person who is an owner, employee or who otherwise works within a cannabis business must be legally authorized to do so under applicable state law.
B. Cannabis business owners shall be required to:
1. Submit to a criminal background check for themselves and all persons in their employment.
2. Complete a criminal background check prior to issuance or transfer of a cannabis business permit.
C. Employees shall submit to a criminal background check within one month of being hired.
D. The City shall conduct criminal background checks which must, at a minimum, identify the following:
1. Offenses listed in Section 1.17.122 of this Code;
2. Whether the owner or employee has ever been convicted of a violent felony as defined by California Penal Code 667.5 or equivalent offense in other states;
3. Whether the owner or employee has ever been convicted of a serious felony, as defined by California Penal Code 1192.7 or equivalent offense in other states;
4. Whether the owner or employee has ever been convicted of a felony for hiring, employing, or using a minor in transporting, carrying, selling, giving away, preparing for sale, or peddling, any controlled substance to a minor; or selling, offering to sell, furnishing, offering to furnish, administering, or giving any controlled substance to a minor;
5. Whether the owner or employee has ever been convicted of a felony for drug trafficking with enhancements pursuant to Section 11370.4 or 11379.8 of the Health and Safety Code.
E. In addition to the offenses listed in Section 1.17.122 of this Code, evidence of a conviction or final judgment/order for any the offenses enumerated in Section 5.77.080(D) of this Code shall be grounds for denial or revocation of a cannabis business permit, and/or employment with a cannabis business permittee in the City of Riverside.
(Ord. No. 7762, § 6, 2026; Ord. 7628 § 1(Exh. A), 2023)
Source: City of Riverside, California, Municipal Code and City Charter (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/ca/riverside/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=PTIICOOR_TIT5BU_CH5.77CABUAC_5.77.080CAOWEMCRBAFetched: 11/1/2026