By Guy Savage, acting county administrative officer

Cannabis has been a hot topic of discussion in San Luis Obispo County for several years and public interest doesn’t seem to be slowing down. A recent SLO Chamber event that focused on understanding the cannabis industry sold out quickly. Hundreds of people attended three public forums hosted by the County in April to provide input on local regulations. And not a day goes by without a news headline about cannabis in California.

Since 2015, the county Board of Supervisors has been working with the public, County staff, state legislators, and law enforcement agencies to develop practical policies governing the cannabis industry. This includes regulating cultivation, manufacturing, distribution, transportation and sales of cannabis in the unincorporated areas of San Luis Obispo County. Each incorporated city has its own approach, but the County has taken a conservative approach to addressing this bourgeoning industry.

Once non-medical cannabis uses were approved by the public in 2016, the County began working harder than ever to develop sensible solutions that regulate the local cannabis industry, while also considering how to keep our communities safe, healthy, livable, prosperous, and well-governed.

What People Need to Know

Currently, there is a temporary ban on new cannabis cultivation sites in the unincorporated areas, except for new patients and primary caregivers. That ban is set to expire in September 2017, unless the Board of Supervisors extends it.

In the meantime, the County is creating permanent rules that will shape the cannabis industry locally. Throughout this process, the County has been monitoring the state’s progress in developing its own rules for regulating the cannabis industry.

A recent state-sponsored economic study by the University of California Agricultural Issues Center estimated that the annual sales of legal marijuana in California could be about $5 billion. But regulating a brand-new industry is not without its challenges and costs.

More than 400 cannabis cultivation sites in the unincorporated areas have registered their operations with the County, but there are an estimated 200 to 300 unregistered growers who are currently breaking the law by continuing their operations in the unincorporated areas. The County recently began taking legal action against some known unregistered cultivators in the California Valley and will continue to work to enforce its rules throughout the County to ensure that there is a fair and equitable market for local cannabis businesses.

In June, the county Board of Supervisors agreed to budget $1 million in FY 2017-18 to cover the costs of regulating local cannabis businesses. This includes hiring code enforcement officers, sheriff’s deputies, an attorney, and pesticide-use enforcement workers. The Board also revisited draft rules that aim to balance support of an industry that could bring in a significant amount of revenue with valid concerns about safety, water and odor.

The County has been transparent in its approach to developing these permanent rules. Along with public hearings, the County held public workshops and public input meetings this spring that hundreds of residents attended to provide input before the rules are finalized.

Based on the current timeline of upcoming hearings and public meetings, permanent regulations will not likely be in place until October 2017 at the earliest.

Timeline: upcoming hearings and public meetings to consider permanent rules

July 25: Board of Supervisors meeting

The Board of Supervisors will discuss taxation and fees related to the cannabis industry SLO County.

July 27 and August 10: Planning Commission hearing

The County’s draft ordinance is set to go before the County Planning Commission in July and August. Following an educational session, the Planning Commission will meet and thoroughly discuss the proposed draft regulations, their compatibility with surrounding land use categories, and their impacts on the environment. The Planning Commission may request changes be made to the draft regulations. Ultimately, the Planning Commission will make a recommendation to the Board of Supervisors regarding the final draft ordinances.  Following Planning Commission recommendations, the land use ordinance for the Coastal zone will be reviewed, modified, and adopted by the Coastal Commission.

September 19: Board of Supervisors meeting

On or before this date, the Board of Supervisors will consider extending the temporary ban on new cannabis cultivation sites for another year, if it is needed.

October 3: Board of Supervisors hearing

The Board of Supervisors is slated to meet and take action on regulations. The Board will review the recommendation from staff and the Planning Commission, and make changes to the regulations prior to adopting them. Once adopted, the regulations will be effective within 30 days.

Get more information on the County’s website.