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.