Title
a. Receive a preliminary analysis report in response to Board Referral No. 2022.20, which seeks a staff review of department specific local requirements for commercial cannabis applicants and for staff to identify where it may be possible to provide local authorization for annual state commercial cannabis licensure so that operations may continue in an interim period; and
b. Provide direction as appropriate.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends that the Board of Supervisors:
a. Receive a preliminary analysis report in response to Board Referral No. 2022.20, which seeks a staff review of department specific local requirements for commercial cannabis applicants and for staff to identify where it may be possible to provide local authorization for annual state commercial cannabis licensure so that operations may continue in an interim period; and
b. Provide direction as appropriate.
PRELIMINARY ANALYSIS:
At the September 27, 2022, Board of Supervisors (Board) meeting, the Board approved Board Referral No. 2022.20. Supervisor Lopez made the referral, which was assigned by the CAO to the Cannabis Program (the Program). The referral requests a review of the department specific local requirements for commercial cannabis operators to achieve local authorization for the transition from a Department of Cannabis Control Provisional License to Annual Licensure. The referral identifies primary outstanding requirements from Housing and Community Development (HCD), Environmental Health Bureau (EHB), Treasurer-Tax Collector (TTC), and local Fire Agencies.
Proposed Project Description:
Currently, 43 of the 91 cannabis land use applications have been approved. However, only 13 have been cleared. A land use permit is considered approved when the hearing body has approved with resolution. A land use permit is considered cleared when the applicant has satisfied condition compliance.
In response to the referral, the Program has been collaborating with HCD, EHB, and local Fire Agencies to aid commercial cannabis business operators with satisfying local requirements to transition from provisional to annual state licensure between 2023- 2025. The Program recommends the analysis address the following core subject areas:
• Cannabis Land Use Permits analysis, organized both by permit status by incomplete items, sorted by department.
o Prepare a recommendation on items that will not delay the local authorization approval to the state for annual licensure. The Program will need commitment from the operator to complete these outstanding items in a reasonable time.
Depending on Board direction, staff can return to the Board with the proposed recommendations on or before December 6, 2022.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
No other departments were involved in the preparation of this report.
FINANCING:
Monterey County’s Cannabis Program is funded in County Administrative Office - Department 1050, Intergovernmental and Legislative Affairs Division - Unit 8533, Cannabis. The proposed recommendations will not incur additional expenses to the Program.
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS STRATEGIC INITIATIVES:
The Monterey County Cannabis Program addresses each of the Strategic Initiative Policy Areas that promote the growth of a responsible and legal Monterey County cannabis industry.
Mark a check to the related Board of Supervisors Strategic Initiatives
X Economic Development
X Administration
X Health & Human Services
X Infrastructure
X Public Safety
Prepared by: Joann Iwamoto, Program Manager II
Approved by: Nicholas E. Chiulos, Assistant CAO
Attachments:
A. Board Referral No. 2022.20
B. Performance Indicators for Local Permits as of October 2022