[California County News]
County supervisors began discussions last week on a proposed ordinance that would overhaul existing marijuana rules in Humboldt County and expand the industry’s tourism sector.
The time for public comment on the proposed ordinance has been extended until March 28. It will come back for a vote on April 10.
Supervisors say the ordinance is necessary to bring clarity to local rules; mitigate some of the unintended consequences of the county’s existing ordinance; bring county regulations more in line with those of the state; and expand some facets of the commercial marijuana industry -- most notably, cannabis tourism. The draft ordinance also contains incentives aimed at bringing more existing cultivators out of the shadows and into the legal marketplace. Two of its most major provisions: reopening the permitting application process that closed December 2016 and capping the number of cultivation permits.
Each aspect of the plan has opened up a separate debate and discussion. There are significant questions about the validity of the environmental impact report that was conducted, for instance. Representatives from the Yurok and Karuk tribes, Friends of the Eel River, and the state Department of Fish and Wildlife all addressed that issue during the March 19 meeting and urged the county to revise its analysis before permitting any additional grows.
Even bus stops commanded a fair share of attention during last week's meeting. Industry advocates say an existing provision that prohibits cannabis businesses within 600 feet of school bus stops, churches, or schools has become a large barrier to licensing. The board directed staff to submit options to revise the bus stop setback.
Read more about Humboldt’ County’s “Cannabis Ordinance 2.0” here: http://www.times-standard.com/article/NJ/20180319/NEWS/180319810
