Policy

Urgent Call to Action – Ask Gov. Newsom to Veto AB1207

CANNABIS COMMUNITY CALL TO ACTION

AB-1207 passed the legislature on Thursday , and is before the Governor to sign or VETO.

WE NEED ALL CANNABIS BUSINESSES & CONSUMERS IN THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA TO SUBMIT A LETTER TODAY, URGING THE GOVERNOR TO  VET0 AB-1207

AB-1207 Would BAN the USE of ALL IMAGES of HUMAN, FRUITS & VEGETABLES from ALL LABELING, PACKAGING, MARKETING & ADVERTISING for ALL CANNABIS PRODUCTS
Featured in our veto campaign is the #BraveHearted Monique Ramirez and her family’s licensed heritage homestead cannabis farm Sunbright Gardens where Mo and her partner Gus grow 1/16 of an acre of #CraftCannabis. Mo is a #LocallyVerified #CannabisSocialEquity entrepreneur. Mo’s family, and our entire legacy farming community would be devastated by this law!

Mo & Gus’s homegrown brand, their logo and all of their beautiful marketing collateral, that they visioned and developed over the past decade would be illegal. Pictures of their family, fruits and vegetables growing in their garden would be prohibited in law from being posted on their farm’s Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Linked-IN or use in Print Ads, Brochures, Flyers – EVERY SINGLE BRANDING AND MARKETING TOOL WE HAVE as farmers would be deeply compromised, leaving the #CaliforniaCraftCannabis sector in ruins.
TAKE 2 MINUTES to Sign & Submit our Template Veto Letter via our email campaign

https://modernaction.io/email_petition/veto-ab-1207

or write your own letter and email it to: leg.unit@gov.ca.gov

CLICK HERE to Read the OC Regional Council’s AB-1207 Request to Veto Letter to Governor Newsom 

CLICK HERE for imagery to use on Instagram/FB

PLEASE SHARE THIS MESSAGE WIDELY – WE NEED 200 LETTERS IN BY MIDNIGHT ON MONDAY

EIR Scoping Comments Due Aug 31

The EIR will programmatically evaluate the environmental impacts of the DCC’s annual licensing of commercial cannabis cultivation operations in the county as well as the environmental impacts of future licensed commercial cannabis cultivation operations.

Potential issues and impacts to the existing environment to be analyzed in the Draft EIR include the following environmental topics:

• Aesthetics
• Agriculture and Forestry Resources
• Air Quality
• Biological Resources
• Cultural Resources
• Energy
• Geology and Soils
• Greenhouse Gas Emissions
• Hazards and Hazardous Materials
• Hydrology and Water Quality
• Land Use and Planning
• Mineral Resources
• Noise
• Population and Housing
• Public Services
• Recreation
• Transportation
• Tribal and Cultural Resources
• Utilities and Service Systems
• Wildfire

For more details review the following documents:

Notice of Preparation

Letter from DCC

Submit comments in writing by mail or email by August 31:

• By mail: DCC Legal Affairs Division, 2920 Kilgore Road, Rancho Cordova, CA 95670 
• By email: publiccomment@cannabis.ca.gov

Sept 5 Cannabis Advisory Sub-Committee Meeting re: Appellations

Cannabis Advisory Committee – Cultivation Subcommittee

Tuesday, September 5, 2023 – 1:00 pm.

Notice to the Public

The Cannabis Advisory Committee’s (CAC) Cultivation Subcommittee will hold a meeting on September 5, 2023, at 1:00 p.m. CAC subcommittee meetings are live-streamed and open to the public. No registration is required.

To view or participate in the meeting, you may attend in person at: Department of Cannabis Control Headquarters 2920 Kilgore Road Rancho Cordova, CA 95670

You may also join by computer or phone at the meeting time:

• To join by computer (WebEx Event): CLICK HERE

o Webinar 2530 899 6186

o Password: CultivationPblc

• To join by phone, call 1-844-621-3956, Password: 28584829
• CLICK HERE to view instructions for connecting to the meeting.

• CLICK HERE for Cultivation Subcommittee meeting materials
• CLICK HERE for September Agenda

Meeting Agenda Topics:

1. Call to order and roll call Public Comment for Items Not on the Agenda

2. Public comment for items not on the agenda Items for Discussion and Possible Recommendation

3. Appellations of Origin labeling requirements DCC is requesting feedback from the subcommittee on two specific elements of the Appellations of Origin Program labeling requirements. The subcommittee will discuss, and may make recommendations to DCC on, the following questions:

• How should an appellation be indicated on the labeling and advertising of cannabis goods? Options may include specific terms, such as requiring “appellation” after the appellation name, or requiring a seal or logo.

• What is an appropriate transition time for businesses who do not meet the appellation of origin requirements to cease using the term in labeling and advertising?

• What other regulatory steps, if any, should DCC consider to strengthen appellation-of-origin requirements in the context of packaging and labeling?

Background: The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) is responsible for implementing an Appellation of Origin Program for cannabis and cannabis products. CDFA has promulgated regulations that describe how cannabis businesses can request that CDFA establish an appellation of origin. As the oversight authority for the packaging and labeling of cannabis and cannabis products, DCC will establish regulations on how appellations can be used in the context of packaging and labeling.

4. Any requests for future agenda items (Discussion only)

5. Adjournment

Public Participation in the Meeting:

The public can play an active role in the conversation about state cannabis standards and regulations by attending or viewing the CAC meeting and offering input during public comment periods.

The public can also submit comments before the meeting by emailing CAC@cannabis.ca.gov.

Public comment periods will be held where noted on the agenda and after each agenda item. Remarks must address the specific agenda item for which a public comment period is being held. The amount of time allocated for each comment may be limited. Meeting Accessibility DCC is committed to ensuring that our services, programs and meetings are accessible to all, including people with disabilities. The meeting will include closed captioning.

MCA Memos for 08-28 GGC Meeting

MCD Updates re EIR and Code Enforcement

The following 2 messages were shared via Cannanote on Friday. There is additional information from MCA after them.

_____________________________________________

1. EIR Update

Dear Community Members,

The Cannabis Department is reaching out to provide an update regarding the Environmental Impact Report (EIR). The Department of Cannabis Control (DCC) has confirmed that they are planning to release a Notice of Preparation (NOP) for the EIR.

To stay informed and review the relevant information, please find the links to the Notice of Preparation (NOP) below:

EIR – Overview

EIR – Notice of Preparation

We encourage you to share this information with fellow community members and any other stakeholders who may be interested in staying updated on this important matter.

As we continue to prioritize transparency and open communication, we will also make these links available in Canna Notes and on the MCD website. Our aim is to ensure that everyone has access to relevant information related to the EIR project.

If you have any questions or need further clarification, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Thank you for your continued support and participation.

2. Directed Enforcement on Illegal Cannabis Cultivation in Redwood Valley

During the July 25^th, 2023, Board of Supervisors meeting, a Redwood Valley Cannabis Prohibition District was considered. Although the Board denied establishment of the Prohibition District, unanimous direction was provided to the Mendocino County Code Enforcement Division to assign all of its available resources to address illegal cannabis cultivation within the Redwood Valley area. The purpose of this direction was to address cannabis-related nuisances in the area as demonstrated by numerous constituent complaints of nuisance odor and activities.

As a result of the Board’s direction, the Code Enforcement Division has proceeded with identifying multiple properties within Redwood Valley as potential non-permitted cultivation sites, including but not limited to the use of aerial imagery. Code Enforcement will be completing thorough investigations to assess for illegal cannabis cultivation and its related infrastructure. While in the field, Code Enforcement officers will also be actively seeking to identify additional unpermitted cultivation sites to include in this directed effort.

Code Enforcement is seeking voluntary compliance by responsible parties to abate all illegal cannabis cultivation in violation of Mendocino County Code (MCC) Chapter 10A.17 and obtain appropriate building permits to address non-permitted infrastructure associated with cannabis cultivation. If voluntary compliance is not achieved, Code Enforcement will elevate enforcement action on non-compliant sites.

It should be noted that many properties located with Redwood Valley are zoned RR (Rural Residential) 1 (RR1) and do not qualify for cultivation beyond the personal adult use exemption. However, it should also be noted that for the adult use exemption, the use must also be in compliance of MCC section 10A.17.040 to meet all required setbacks.

A copy of the 10A.17 Ordinance can be located at:

https://library.municode.com/ca/mendocino_county/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=MECOCO_TIT10AAG_CH10A.17MECACUOR_S10A.17.040GELICUCA

The Mendocino County community is highly encouraged to review the above noted ordinance to ensure their properties are in compliance.

For any questions or concerns, community members can reach out to the Code Enforcement Division at: (707) 234-6669 or email at: codeenforcement@mendocinocounty.org

_________________________________________

CLICK HERE to see the portion of the BoS Meeting from 07-25 where the Code Enforcement direction was discussed.

It begins in the YouTube clip at 08:09:53 after the CP Zone was denied, with Supervisor McGourty saying

“I kind of feel like we can’t just leave this sitting – there are people who feel they’ve been injured by the cannabis industry in Redwood Valley and we really need to find out who is causing the problem. I think there’s a good case for us to step up going after illegal grows, get some real data”

It end ends with the unanimous Board vote on Supervisor Williams motion offered at 08:18:28:

“Direct Code Enforcement to assign all available resources to the larger map presented today and report findings to board w/in 60 days.”

CLICK HERE to see the map being referenced.

As you might imagine there is a lot of conversation going on around this. If you or someone you know has been impacted by this and is willing to share the story with us please have them email me with a description of what they have experienced during this Code Enforcement action.

There will be a Redwood Valley Municipal Advisory Committee meeting on Wednesday August 9th where this topic is certain to be a big part of the conversation and I will be attending that meeting.

We will keep you updated on any additional information as it becomes available.

MCA Memos for 07-31 GGC Meeting

In advance of the GGC Meeting at 9AM on July 31st, MCA has submitted memos on the following items:

• Item 2a – June MCD Report  (CLICK HERE for Agenda Materials)
• Item 2b – 5 Year Renewal Cycle (CLICK HERE for Agenda Materials)

CLICK HERE to read our memos!

To leave any written public comment, first you must CLICK HERE to register with Granicus. Once you have registered, you will be able to sign in and make comments and upload files for all agenda items.  You can CLICK HERE to find upcoming meeting agendas.

YOU MUST MAKE AN INDIVIDUAL COMMENT FOR EACH AGENDA ITEM YOU WANT TO ADDRESS. CLICK THE ITEM BELOW FOR THE APPROPRIATE PLACE TO SUBMIT YOUR COMMENT.

• Public Expression (for items not on the agenda)
• Agenda Item 2a – MCD June Report
• Agenda Item 2b – 5 Year Renewal Cycle

To make a verbal comment there are two options:

Option #1 – Voicemail

Voicemail comments will no longer be played back during Open Session, but are immediately available to the full Board of Supervisors upon submittal

1. Call (707) 234-6333 to leave a voice message, up to 3 minutes
2. Leave your full name and the agenda item upon which you are making a comment.

ONLY 1 MESSAGE PER AGENDA ITEM.

Option #2 – ZOOM during the BoS Meeting

Use the “raise hand” feature when Public Comment is called

CLICK HERE to Join Zoom Webinar

Zoom Webinar ID: 876 2897 0077

Zoom Phone Number (if joining via telephone): 1 669 900 9128

Every voice raised makes a difference. 

q2 Cannabis Taxes Due July 31

Mendocino County Quarterly Tax payments are due by July 31st for the reporting period:

4-1-23 to 6-30-23

Please keep in mind that if payment is postmarked after July 31st, you will incur penalties and interest charges.

The Board of Supervisors recently amended the Mendocino County Cannabis Business Tax effective April 28th, 2023 for cannabis cultivators and nursery operators to pay a reduced cannabis business tax of 1.25% for tax years 2023 and 2024.

All other cannabis businesses are required to pay their specific quarterly payments.

For more information, please contact the Tax Collector at 707-234-6848.

You can also visit https://www.mendocinocounty.org/government/treasurer-tax-collector/cannabis-taxes-and-license for more cannabis tax related information.

Tax payments can be mailed to:

Mendocino County Treasurer-Tax Collector

Room 1060

501 Low Gap Rd

Ukiah, CA 95482

Call to Action for 07-25 BoS Meeting re Cannabis Prohibition Zone

For those of you who have been tracking the proposed Redwood Valley Cannabis Prohibition District, it is coming before the Board of Supervisors for a decision on Tuesday July 25. 

Those affected by the proposed CP Zone have created a new website on this topic: 

www.NoCPZones.com 

You can visit their site to learn more about CP Zones, the affected cultivators, and why this policy is deeply flawed not just in Redwood Valley, but for the entire cultivation community. When on the site make sure to sign the petition!

We also highly recommend checking out the linked letters on the home page sent to the Planning Commission by Emerald Law Group (the attorneys representing the affected cultivators).

While the operators who would be impacted by this zone are MCA Members, this is an important issue for all local licensees.  As currently written our ordinance allows any group of citizens to engage in this tactic for any reason, and we must call for that provision to be removed.  It is important to not only oppose this particular zone, but Prohibition Zones in general, and we will continue to include this within our advocacy.

We will be sharing info on how to submit written and verbal comment at the7/25 BoS meeting by Friday afternoon at the latest with the Subject “CALL TO ACTION #2” but wanted to provide this heads up and point you to www.NoCPZones.com before then.

Materials:

CLICK HERE for the Staff Report to the BoS on the item (Colony CP District).

0.1± miles north of the Redwood Valley town center, bound generally on the west by East Road (CR 230), on the north by Madrone Drive (private) and Road I (CR 234), on the east by Colony Drive (CR 232-A), and on the south by Road D (CR 232).

CLICK HERE for MCA’s previous memo in opposition.

CLICK HERE for an image of the proposed zone outlined by a thick black border. 

You will notice that there are 2 provisionally licensed cultivation sites within the zone, and another 7 provisionally licensed cultivation sites adjacent to the zone, 4 of them directly touching the border. The 2 provisional licensees within the zone are Latin, and the 7 licensees just outside of the zone are white. So this Zone would cease the compliant cannabis activities of Latin operators while allowing their white neighbors to continue.  The proponents of the Zone have said that their intent is not racist, but the map clearly appears to create an unnatural shape to specifically include only the impacted cultivators. 

Another item of note is that a good portion of the proposed zone (the smaller parcels on the left side) is already in zoning that prohibits commercial cannabis activity, while the other portion is in Ag Zoning which is where the state and county would like to see new cannabis cultivation occurring. It would set a terrible precedent to Prohibit cannabis in one of the few remaining zones where it is currently allowed.

This is an important issue for us to address as a community. Please look out for more information on Friday with details on how to submit public comments for the meeting.  If you would like to email your district Supervisor directly to share your opposition to the Zone, you can do that at any time between now and Monday evening at the following email addresses:

CLICK HERE for County District Map

District 1 – Glenn McGourty mcgourtyg@mendocinocounty.org,

District 2 – Mo Mulheren mulherenm@mendocinocounty.org,

District 3 – John Haschak haschakj@mendocinocounty.org,

District 4 – Dan Gjerde gjerde@mendocinocounty.org,

District 5 – Ted Williams williamst@mendocinocounty.org

All Supervisors: bos@mendocinocounty.org

DCC Update on CEQA and Provisional Licensing

The following messaging was shared by the DCC to Mendocino County Provisional License holders today via email:

______________

MCA will continue advocating at both the local and state levels to ensure that the costs incurred in developing local Appendix G paperwork will be included as allowable grant uses under the LJAGP program.

We will keep you posted as any new information becomes available.

MCA GGC Memo for June 26th Meeting

Greetings MCA Members,

In advance of the GGC Meeting on 6-26-23, MCA has prepared the attached memo on the following item:

• Item 2a–  (CLICK HERE for MCA MEMO)

To leave any written public comment, first you must CLICK HERE to register with Granicus. Once you have registered, you will be able to sign in and make comments and upload files for all agenda items.  You can CLICK HERE to find upcoming meeting agendas.

YOU MUST MAKE AN INDIVIDUAL COMMENT FOR EACH AGENDA ITEM YOU WANT TO ADDRESS. CLICK THE ITEM BELOW FOR THE APPROPRIATE PLACE TO SUBMIT YOUR COMMENT.

• Agenda Item 2a – MCD May Update

To make a verbal comment there are two options:

Option #1-Voicemail

Voicemail comments will no longer be played back during Open Session, but are immediately available to the full Board of Supervisors upon submittal

1. Call (707) 234-6333 to leave a voice message, up to 3 minutes
2. Leave your full name and the agenda item upon which you are making a comment.

ONLY 1 MESSAGE PER AGENDA ITEM.

Option #2 – ZOOM during the BoS Meeting

Use the “raise hand” feature when Public Comment is called

CLICK HERE to Join Zoom Webinar

Zoom Webinar ID: 879 8205 6655

Zoom Phone Number (if joining via telephone): 1 669 900 9128

Every voice raised makes a difference.