Only one of two measures concerning medical and commercial marijuana cultivation was adopted by the countys Board of Supervisors on Feb. 2. The first, an emergency ordinance aimed at beating a state deadline to avoid state takeover of all marijuana regulation became moot as the March 1 deadline for local action was amended by Governor Brown.
The second measure, a Resolution of Intention, was adopted, and says that the county will develop local requirements and standards for cultivation and commerce of marijuana while ensuring safe access, public safety, environmental protection and land use compatibility. It will also consider business licensing, local tax and other considerations that affect commercial activities.
Supervisors Susan Gorin and Efren Carrillo make up an Ad Hoc Committee to monitor marijuana concerns at the county level.
An analysis by the county administrators office said it could take up to 18 months to provide a slate of recommendations, but supervisor Shirlee Zane said it shouldnt take much more than a year with local experts available to help.
The process of developing future rules will involve stakeholder outreach where everyone with an interest in what happens contributes their opinions and ideas. A technical advisory team will be formed to host public workshops this summer and work on policy developments. Eventually, perhaps as early as this fall, public hearings will be held at the Planning Commission and an environmental impact process may be started. More public hearings will then lead to ultimate action by the Board of Supervisors.
Stakeholders involved in the process would include cities, health professionals, resource agencies, property owners, businesses, neighborhood and environmental groups, and the general public.
Gov. Brown signed the Medical Marijuana Regulation and Safety Act (MMRSA) in October last year. MMRSA establishes a dual licensing scheme for commercial cannabis activity, which allows for local control by first requiring the issuance of a local license or permit before the issuance of a state license. It also said any county without rules in place by March 1 would be subject to state regulation in the future. That deadline was removed by AB21, sponsored by Assemblyman Jim Wood (Dem-2nd District).
Cities and counties will now be able to develop their own rules and regulations for the medical marijuana industry indefinitely, Woods announced. The State Bureau of Medical Marijuana Regulation is scheduled to come online Jan. 1, 2018.
The second measure, a Resolution of Intention, was adopted, and says that the county will develop local requirements and standards for cultivation and commerce of marijuana while ensuring safe access, public safety, environmental protection and land use compatibility. It will also consider business licensing, local tax and other considerations that affect commercial activities.
Supervisors Susan Gorin and Efren Carrillo make up an Ad Hoc Committee to monitor marijuana concerns at the county level.
An analysis by the county administrators office said it could take up to 18 months to provide a slate of recommendations, but supervisor Shirlee Zane said it shouldnt take much more than a year with local experts available to help.
The process of developing future rules will involve stakeholder outreach where everyone with an interest in what happens contributes their opinions and ideas. A technical advisory team will be formed to host public workshops this summer and work on policy developments. Eventually, perhaps as early as this fall, public hearings will be held at the Planning Commission and an environmental impact process may be started. More public hearings will then lead to ultimate action by the Board of Supervisors.
Stakeholders involved in the process would include cities, health professionals, resource agencies, property owners, businesses, neighborhood and environmental groups, and the general public.
Gov. Brown signed the Medical Marijuana Regulation and Safety Act (MMRSA) in October last year. MMRSA establishes a dual licensing scheme for commercial cannabis activity, which allows for local control by first requiring the issuance of a local license or permit before the issuance of a state license. It also said any county without rules in place by March 1 would be subject to state regulation in the future. That deadline was removed by AB21, sponsored by Assemblyman Jim Wood (Dem-2nd District).
Cities and counties will now be able to develop their own rules and regulations for the medical marijuana industry indefinitely, Woods announced. The State Bureau of Medical Marijuana Regulation is scheduled to come online Jan. 1, 2018.