The San Diego County Board of Supervisors have voted 3-2 to advance a “socially equitable” cannabis program in the county’s unincorporated areas, opting for staff policy recommendations over those from the Planning Commission on matters such as a ban on outdoor cultivation and a longer buffer from youth centers and other sensitive areas.
After a staff presentation and lengthy public hearing, Supervisors Paloma Aguirre, Terra Lawson-Remer and Monica Montgomery Steppe voted in favor of the policy, while Supervisors Joel Anderson and Jim Desmond were opposed.
The board will hold a second hearing on Sept. 2 before final approval, and if adopted, the Socially Equitable Cannabis Program would take effect 30 days later.
Supervisors approved the following staff recommendations Wednesday:
certifying the environmental impact report and California Environmental Quality Act findings
adopting amended zoning ordinances that will allow for new cannabis facilities
approving introduced amendments to regulatory code for commercial cannabis licensing and the SECP, along with amendments to the fee schedule
approving minimum funding requirements for unlicensed cannabis enforcement
However, the board rejected previous recommended policy changes from the county Planning Commission, including a ban on outdoor cultivation and 1,000-foot buffer from day care or youth centers, places of worship, public parks and trails and schools, rather than a 600-foot distance.
In early January, supervisors had voted 3-2 to advance a series of updates to the proposed cannabis program in unincorporated areas, including rules related to land use, consumption lounges and community benefits.