Many cannabis growers were eager to alter the ordinance's original interpretation, while environmentalists urged the board to stick to the limit of 10,000 square feet of commercial cannabis on one parcel. As it turns out, some growers already assumed the ordinance as originally worded allowed them to double the amount of square feet under cultivation. That’s why local growers brought this issue up to the board in the first place.
Third District Supervisor John Haschak, who was one of the supporters of the ordinance change, says that growers approached the Board’s General Government Committee because they thought the ordinance would allow more cannabis cultivation.
The original interpretation of the ordinance, introduced in 2017 and amended in 2018, allows a person to cultivate cannabis in a maximum of 10,000 square feet on one parcel if that person has a specific type of Cannabis Cultivation Business License, also known as a CCBL.
If the ordinance's reinterpretation was passed by the board, a person could have two permit types on one piece of land. One Type 2 permit to cultivate commercial cannabis and one Type 4 permit to produce cannabis nursery stock. The new ordinance would have allowed that person to trade their nursery license for a cultivation license. That person could have a maximum of 20,000 square feet dedicated to commercial cannabis cultivation. This was not allowed under the original reading of the text.
Environmentalists throughout the county say that the increase in cannabis cultivation could pollute the land as well as decrease the water supply for residents.
Frances Owen, a Redwood Valley resident. said that “Because many of us rely on well water only for our homes, we are very concerned about this reinterpretation of this cannabis ordinance.” She was one of many at the meeting who gave a public comment about the environmental impact of cannabis grows. Owen also said that
“We know well permits have been approved for some of these large grows, and some nearby residential wells have suffered greatly.”
But Matt Humphrey, a cannabis worker in Mendocino County, believes a new interpretation of the ordinance would help growers overcome financial struggles.
“Cannabis farmers are suffering. I’m asking you to think about the future economy of Mendocino County and keep cannabis at the top of this thriving community.”
Supervisor Haschak told KZYX that there were only 10 applicants looking to double the size of their commercial cannabis sites, and the board needs to decide how to support those applicants in lieu of this final decision.
Although Haschak originally supported the proposal, he says he’s glad the board made a unanimous decision to clarify the original intent of the ordinance and to reject a reinterpretation.
“My recommendation is that the staff maintain the original intent of the ordinance and limiting it to one 10,000 square foot cultivation site per parcel. And that we don’t process any more applications, and the staff comes back with options for the applicants that we have.” Said Supervisor Haschak.