Policy

MCA Memos for 02-07 BoS Meeting

In advance of the BoS Meeting on Feb 7th, MCA has prepared several memos for Public Expression, as well as memos for specific agenda items. 

Agenda Items

Item 4d – CLICK HERE for Memo on Equity Legal Opinion  – We strenuously object to the adoption of the proposed expenditure of $25K for an outside counsel to investigate the Federal legality of our Local Equity Program on multiple grounds. (CLICK HERE for Agenda Materials)

Item 4f– CLICK HERE for Memo on Legislative Platform – We raise concerns about the February 17 deadline for the introduction of legislation at the State level and the nearly 2 month delay by MCD in providing updated materials for inclusion in the platform despite multiple directions to do so. (CLICK HERE for Agenda Materials)

Public Expression

CLICK HERE for Memo on LJAGP – We provide an LJAGP Timeline Update with significant concerns about the timely and effective opening of applications for Direct Grants to licensees, and ask the GGC and Board to intervene.

CLICK HERE for Memo on Resource Innovation Institute contract – We inquire about the utility of hiring an outside agency with scarce LJAGP resources to do State reporting that operators can do on their own

CLICK HERE for Memo on Equity Manual Raid Criteria Revisions – We support memos submitted by Hannah Nelson and Scott Ward and call for an Equity Manual language update clarifying the inclusion of various Law Enforcement agencies beyond CAMP who were responsible for raids as acceptable criteria for applicants. This change is in line with past Board direction, and within the authority given to Director Nevedal.

CLICK HERE for Memo on Berkeley Cannabis Research Report – We share the UC Berkeley Cannabis Research Center’s Report on Policy Findings & Recommendations Regarding California Cannabis Farming, Regulation and the Environment (report also attached and linked in the memo) which includes many insightful recommendations for state and local governments.

Hannah Nelson is also working on a memo for Item 4c related to Vegetation Modification, and at a minimum MCA will be supporting that memo.

If you support our recommendations, you can use the following instructions to make either written or verbal comments (including leaving a voice mail at your convenience before 7:30AM on Feb 7th).

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
• Agenda Item 4d- Equity Legal Opinion
• Agenda Item 4f – Legislative platform

To make a verbal comment there are two options.

Option #1-Voicemail

1. Call 707-234-6333 and leave a voice message, up to 2 minutes in length, to be played during public expression/public comment, as it relates to the published agenda.
2. Speak clearly, being sure to leave your full name and the agenda item upon which you are making a comment.
3. Anonymous phone messages will not be played back during the meeting – nor will phone messages received prior to publication of the agenda.
4. The deadline for voicemail comment submission is 8 AM the day of the meeting. Voicemails received after that time will not be played back during the meeting.

YOU MUST LEAVE ONE MESSAGE PER AGENDA ITEM. WE RECOMMEND LEAVING MESSAGES BY 7:30AM ON THE DAY OF THE MEETING TO BE SAFE.

Option #2-ZOOM

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

CLICK HERE to Join Zoom Webinar

Zoom Webinar ID: 895 0911 1749

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

Please also feel free to email your District Supervisor, or all Supervisors, with your comments! (Be sure to include the items that you’re writing about in your Email Subject)

District 1 – Chair 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

Every voice raised makes a difference.  These are important issues and we request that ALL available Members make comments on these items!

MCA Memos for 12-12 GGC Meeting

In advance of tomorrow’s 12-12-2022 General Government Committee meeting at 9am where they will be hearing four cannabis agenda Items, MCA has shared several memos with the Board of Supervisors.

– Agenda Item 2a – Mendocino County – State Legislative Platform – where we make recommendations for inclusion to the County’s 2023 State Legislative Platform

– Agenda Item 2b – MCD Update – Where we raise questions and seek clarification on many of the items in the report.

– Agenda Item 2c – County Equity Grant Application – Where we support the County applying for 5 Million in additional Equity Grant funding.

***CLICK HERE to read the Memos!***

– Agenda Item 2d – Vegetation Modification – It’s possible that the memo will not be shared until tomorrow, so it’s possible you will not be able to see it until it’s shared.  In the event you want to comment in general on this item, you could include your personal opinions on the issues with the Veg Mod program, and advocate that the GGC, the Board and County Counsel adopt the broadest possible reading of the Ordinance to enable as many operators as possible who have not conducted egregious Tree Removal to fall under the allowed exceptions in the Ordinance for disease and safety concerns.

This is the first time the Veg Mod proposals from CoCo will be heard, and they are not scheduled to be discussed by the full Board until sometime in January at the earliest. 

If you support our recommendations, we urge you to share that support with the General Government Committee via written AND verbal comment. YOUR VOICE MAKES A DIFFERENCE!

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 AGENDA ITEM BELOW FOR THE APPROPRIATE PLACE TO SUBMIT YOUR COMMENT:

– Agenda Item 2a – Mendocino County – State Legislative Platform – where we make recommendations to the County to include in their lobbying of the State next year.

– Agenda Item 2b – MCD Update – Where we raise questions and seek clarification on many of the items in the report.

– Agenda Item 2c – County Equity Grant Application – Where we support the County applying for 5 Million in additional Equity Grant funding.

– Agenda Item 2d – Vegetation Modification – It’s possible that the memo will not be shared until tomorrow, so it’s possible you will not be able to see it until it’s shared.  In the event you want to comment in general on this item, you could include your personal opinions on the issues with the Veg Mod program, and advocate that the GGC, the Board and County Counsel adopt the broadest possible reading of the Ordinance to enable as many operators as possible who have not conducted egregious Tree Removal to fall under the allowed exceptions for disease and safety concerns.

If you would also like to make a verbal comment (we recommend it!) on any or all of these items, there are two options.

Voicemail

1. Call 707-234-6333 and leave a voice message, up to 2 minutes in length, to be played during public expression/public comment, as it relates to the published agenda.
2. Speak clearly, being sure to leave your full name and the agenda item upon which you are making comment.
3. Anonymous phone messages will not be played back during the meeting – nor will phone messages received prior to publication of the agenda.
4. The deadline for voicemail comment submittal is 7:30 AM the day of the meeting. Voicemails received after that time will not be played back during the meeting.

YOU MUST LEAVE ONE MESSAGE PER AGENDA ITEM. WE RECOMMEND LEAVING MESSAGES BY 730AM ON THE DAY OF THE MEETING TO BE SAFE.

2. Join the Zoom Webinar for the meeting and use the “raise hand” feature when Public Comment is called. For details and complete list of the latest available options by which to engage with agenda items, please CLICK HERE  

CLICK HERE to Join Zoom Webinar

Zoom Webinar ID: 893 7803 8056

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

Please also feel free to email the GGC Members and your District Supervisors with your thoughts on these items!

GGC Members:

District 2 – Mo Mulheren mulherenm@mendocinocounty.org,
District 4 – Dan Gjerde gjerde@mendocinocounty.org,

Additional Supervisors:

District 3 – John Haschak haschakj@mendocinocounty.org,

District 1 – Glenn McGourty mcgourtyg@mendocinocounty.org,

District 5 – Ted Williams williamst@mendocinocounty.org

All Supervisors: bos@mendocinocounty.org

Thank you for your support!

MCA Memos for 12-06 BoS Meeting

In advance of the BoS Meeting tomorrow MCA has prepared the attached memos on the following items:

 – Item 3m – Proposed LJAGP Manual (CLICK HERE for Agenda Materials)

 – Item 4h – Fee Hearing Re: Cannabis Appeals (CLICK HERE for Agenda Materials)

CLICK HERE to review the memos.

The Proposed LJAGP Manual is on the Consent Calendar, which means the Board plans to vote without discussing.  WE STRONGLY FEEL THE LJAGP MANUAL SHOULD NOT BE ADOPTED AS WRITTEN AND URGE EVERYONE TO WRITE OR CALL IN TO ASK THE BOARD NOT TO ADOPT IT.

If you support our recommendations, you can use the following instructions to make either written or verbal comments (including leaving a voice mail at your convenience before 7:30AM tomorrow!).

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 3m – Proposed LJAGP Manual
• Agenda Item 4h – Fee Hearing Re: Cannabis Appeals

If you would also like to make a verbal comment (we recommend it!) on any or all of these items, there are two options.

Voicemail

1. Call 707-234-6333 and leave a voice message, up to 3 minutes in length, to be played during public expression/public comment, as it relates to the published agenda.
2. Speak clearly, being sure to leave your full name and the agenda item upon which you are making comment.
3. Anonymous phone messages will not be played back during the meeting – nor will phone messages received prior to publication of the agenda.
4. The deadline for voicemail comment submittal is 8 AM the day of the meeting. Voicemails received after that time will not be played back during the meeting.

YOU MUST LEAVE ONE MESSAGE PER AGENDA ITEM. WE RECOMMEND LEAVING MESSAGES BY 730AM ON THE DAY OF THE MEETING TO BE SAFE.

2. Join the Zoom Webinar for the meeting and use the “raise hand” feature when Public Comment is called. For details and complete list of the latest available options by which to engage with agenda items, please CLICK HERE  

CLICK HERE to Join Zoom Webinar

Zoom Webinar ID: 869 4597 5217

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

Please also feel free to email your District Supervisor, or all Supervisors, with your comments!

Make sure to include the items that you’re writing about in your Email Subject

District 4 – Dan Gjerde gjerde@mendocinocounty.org,

District 3 – John Haschak haschakj@mendocinocounty.org,

District 1 – Glenn McGourty mcgourtyg@mendocinocounty.org,

District 2 – Mo Mulheren mulherenm@mendocinocounty.org,

District 5 – Ted Williams williamst@mendocinocounty.org

All Supervisors: bos@mendocinocounty.org

Every voice raised makes a difference.  These are important issues and we request that ALL available Members make comments on these items.

Important Local Policy Updates

Please review the following important Local Policy Updates

1. Hannah Nelson + MCA

After serving many years as Senior Policy Advisor, founding member Hannah Nelson is adjusting her role with MCA.

Hannah has decided it is time for her to put her attention to exploring litigation issues and strategies concerning the Mendocino County cultivation permitting program.

In addition to focusing time on potential litigation and client work, Hannah will continue to serve MCA through her work as Law and Policy Advisor to Origins Council (“OC”), the nonprofit education, research, and advocacy organization dedicated to sustainable rural economic development within cannabis producing regions. OC conducts State regulatory and legislative policy work as well as research and public education informed by impacts to rural legacy producing regions. MCA is a member organization and is well represented on OC’s Regional council.

While Hannah will no longer officially serve as Senior Policy Advisor to MCA, she is not going anywhere. She is still committed to local policy issues and will remain a resource for MCA in the local policy arena.

We of course remain eternally grateful for all of Hannah’s efforts and sincerely appreciate her continued commitments to our entire community.

2. Cannabis Processing in Residential Structures

After five years of hard work by Scott Ward and Hannah Nelson to get the county to provide an avenue for small cultivators to not have to have F1 occupancy structures to be able to conduct trimming, a path forward for people in certain circumstances was finally enacted! On October 26, 2022, the Planning and Building Services Director Julia Krog signed into effect the following Policy Statement:

Department Policy Statement No. 1: Cannabis Processing in Residential Structures

This can be found on a new subpage on the PBS website titled: Departmental Policies

Hannah Nelson and Scott Ward have written to PBS Director Krog to get clarification on some of the specific process related issues. While there are potential benefits for those eligible to utilize this new policy, there are potential pitfalls. Also, there are very specific conditions that could impact people with respect to their cannabis licensing in ways that are not immediately apparent by reading the policy. As such, Scott and Hannah advise waiting for further clarification and they have agreed to schedule info sessions for the public so that folks can make informed decisions about whether to undertake the steps necessary to utilize this hard fought policy.

3. In Good Standing (IGS) Portal Currently Open

Operators who have been designated ‘In Good Standing’ are required to resubmit their full applications through an IGS Portal. At the MCD meeting this morning, it was shared that only 6 of 140 IGS operators have submitted their applications.

Those 6 applications that came in between Nov 1 and Nov 14 are now being reviewed. Documents submitted between Nov 14 and December 5 will then be reviewed beginning December 5. MCD will repeat this two week cycle several times, closing the portal on Jan 31st.  

MCD has indicated that any submissions after Jan 2 will NOT have the ability to make ANY corrections to their documents, so we STRONGLY RECOMMEND EVERYONE SUBMIT THROUGH THE PORTAL ASAP.  The longer you wait to submit, the less likely MCD will move quickly enough to process any changes they may request from you.

IGS Portal info can be found on the County website: CLICK HERE

Here is the detailed schedule for the portal timeline provided by MCD:

•   November 1, 2022, the In Good Standing Portal opens
•  November 14, 2022, submitted applications will be sent to MCD staff for review
•  December 5, 2022, applications submitted between November 14 and December 5, 2022, will be sent to MCD staff for review AND reviewed applications submitted between November 1, and November 14, 2022, that need corrections will be unlocked
•  December 19, 2022, applications submitted between December 5, and December 19, 2022, will be sent to MCD staff for AND reviewed applications submitted between November 14, and December 5, 2022, that need corrections will be unlocked
•  January 2, 2023, applications submitted between December 19, and January 2, 2023, will be sent to MCD staff for review AND reviewed applications submitted between December 5, and December 19, 2022, that need corrections will be unlocked
•  January 16, 2023, applications submitted between January 2, and January 16, 2023, will be sent to MCD staff for review AND reviewed applications submitted between December 19, 2022, and January 2, 2023, that need corrections will be unlocked
•  January 31, 2023, at 11:59 pm PT, the In Good Standing Portal closes 

In Good Standing applicants that have been deprioritized are still able to submit materials through the portal.  However, please note the materials will not be reviewed until deprioritized applicants satisfy the conditions needed to reprioritize their application. 

Important information was presented at the MCD Public Meeting held Friday, October 14, 2022. All In Good Standing applicants are encouraged to review this information. Links to the slide show and the recording of that meeting can be found here:

October 14, 2022, MCD Public Meeting Links:

Video Recording: https://youtu.be/s0e3ELNHN5A

Slide Show: MCD In Good Standing Slide Show

4. Fallowing Submissions for 2023 Season Due Between Dec 1 – Dec 31, 2022

The County has put in place a program that will allow operators who voluntarily reduce their cultivation canopy to certain levels compared to their permitted canopy to reduce their minimum cannabis taxes accordingly. 

While the deadline of Dec 31 2022 does not align with the farming season, it is easy to withdraw from the Fallowing program with no penalties if you change your mind.  Due to this, we STRONGLY RECOMMEND any operator who thinks they might want to fallow next year to submit Notice of Fallowing paperwork this year, and to withdraw from the Fallowing program prior to planting if they change their mind.

Please note that there is a two-step process: (1) register the Notice of Fallowing, (2) file the Affidavit. Those that filed the Notice to Fallow and supporting site plan for the 2022 year must still file an Affidavit and whatever supporting materials are required in January of 2023. The Affidavit has not yet been posted to the County website.

Those that intend to Fallow in 2023 must file the Notice before the Dec. 31 2022 deadline and then later will have to file the follow up Affidavit.

CLICK HERE for the Fallowing Ordinance that was passed on July 12 and set up the Fallowing Affidavit program which is required to receive tax relief.

CLICK HERE for the Notice of Fallowing on the County website – (the form must be downloaded to activate the electronic signature field)

To register with this program for the 2023 season you must submit a completed Notice of Fallowing and subsequent site plan to MCDPOD@mendocinocounty.org by Dec 31, 2022.  

There is NO fee for filing, and NO fee to withdraw from the Fallowing program when you are ready.

If you have a 10K sq ft Garden, you must fallow to 5K sq ft or below to reduce your minimum tax.  If you have a 5K sq ft garden, you must fallow to 2,500 sq ft or below to reduce your minimum tax.  If you are at or below 2,500 sq ft you must fallow your full garden to reduce your minimum tax.

If you Fallow your entire garden you will not have a Minimum Tax requirement, but everyone who Fallows will still be responsible to pay taxes on Gross Receipts for product sold per the existing Tax and reporting system.

When submitting the Notice of Fallowing, you should submit your most recent site plan, and clearly show ANY/ALL fallowed areas (update the legend on the site plan). 

If you are fallowing just certain areas of your site, make sure it’s VERY clear which areas will still be cultivated vs. which will be fallowed. – show if you will still be processing, also show if you will still be cultivating immature plants, or if you’re fallowing your immature plant area as well.

Once completed materials are submitted to  MCDPOD@mendocinocounty.org and MCD will process.

MCD recommends downloading the Notice of Fallowing, and not filling it out in the browser. Fill it out on your computer.

ONLY SUBMIT ONE APPLICATION NUMBER PER NOTICE OF FALLOWING 

When submitting Use 2023 as Calendar Year for next season. 

Read the full Notice of Fallowing before signing to know what you’re agreeing to!

Urgent Need for Local Cannabis Tax Reform in Mendocino County

In advance of tomorrow’s 11-08 Board of Supervisors meeting, MCA has prepared the following memo:

• Public Expression – Urgent Need for Local Cannabis Tax Reform (CLICK TO READ)

On November 1, 2022 while the Mendocino County Board of Supervisors was passing a punitive appeals process for local embossed receipt holders, the Humboldt County Board of Supervisors completely suspended 100% of their Measure S Cannabis taxes due to the significant challenges facing their small local cannabis businesses, and their clear understanding of the importance of protecting their local industry. In the attached memo, we call on the Mendocino Board to provide the same level of support to our equally deserving locally licensed operators.

If you support our positions, please share that support with the Board of Supervisors BEFORE the meeting tomorrow!

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 on all agenda items. Moving forward, we will provide links for each agenda item to comment on, so it’s worth your time to sign up now since this is the system the County will be using moving forward for submissions.

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 – Urgent Need for Local Cannabis Tax Reform

If you would also like to make a verbal comment to the Board (we recommend it!) on this item, there are two options.

1. If you would like to leave a message for the Board of Supervisors to be played during the November 8 meeting, you can leave a voicemail comment:

 – Call 707-234-6333 and leave a voice message, up to 2 minutes in length, to be played during public expression/public comment, as it relates to the agenda.

– Speak clearly, being sure to state your full name, District #, and which agenda item you are calling for. YOU MUST LEAVE ONE MESSAGE PER AGENDA ITEM. MESSAGES MUST BE LEFT BY 7AM ON THE DAY OF THE MEETING TO BE SAFE.

– Anonymous phone messages will not be played back during the meeting!

2. Join the Zoom Webinar on 11-08 at 9AM and use the “raise hand” feature when Public Expression is called (usually right after the Pledge of Allegiance).

For details and complete list of the latest available options by which to engage with agenda items, please CLICK HERE  

CLICK HERE to Join Zoom Webinar

Meeting ID: 874 3013 9955

Please also feel free to email your District Supervisor with your comments!

Make sure to include the item that you’re writing about in your Email Subject

District 4 – Dan Gjerde gjerde@mendocinocounty.org,

District 3 – John Haschak haschakj@mendocinocounty.org,

District 1 – Glenn McGourty mcgourtyg@mendocinocounty.org,

District 2 – Mo Mulheren mulherenm@mendocinocounty.org,

District 5 – Ted Williams williamst@mendocinocounty.org

All Supervisors: bos@mendocinocounty.org

Thank you for your support!

MCA Memos for 11-01 BoS Meeting

CLICK HERE to review MCA’s memos for the following two items to be discussed at tomorrow’s BoS Meeting:

• Item 3j – Appeals Process
• Item 4d – Tree Mortality Emergency 

The Appeals item is especially Important to comment on!  Please try to share your personal opinion on why a fair appeals process is important to you, and why cultivation should still be allowed during appeal. Details below!

If you support our positions please share that support with the Board of Supervisors. 

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 on all agenda items. Moving forward, we will provide links for each agenda item to comment on, so it’s worth your time to sign up now since this is the system the County will be using for submissions.

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 3j – Appeals
• Agenda Item 4d – Tree Mortality

If you would also like to make a verbal comment (we recommend it!) on the Appeal item, there are two options.

1. If you would like to leave a message for the Board of Supervisors to be played during the November 1 meeting, you can leave a voicemail comment

 – Call 707-234-6333 and leave a voice message, up to 2 minutes in length, to be played during public expression/public comment, as it relates to the agenda.

– Speak clearly, being sure to state your full name, District #, and which agenda item you are calling for. YOU MUST LEAVE ONE MESSAGE PER AGENDA ITEM. MESSAGES MUST BE LEFT BY 7AM ON THE DAY OF THE MEETING TO BE SAFE.

– Anonymous phone messages will not be played back during the meeting!

2. Join the Zoom Webinar on 11-01-2022 and use the “raise hand” feature when Public Comment is called on Consent Calendar (For Appeals). For details and complete list of the latest available options by which to engage with agenda items, please CLICK HERE  

CLICK HERE to Join Zoom Webinar

Zoom Webinar ID: 842 8382 2464

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

Please also feel free to email your District Supervisor with your comments!

Make sure to include the agenda items that you’re writing about in your Email Subject

District 4 – Dan Gjerde gjerde@mendocinocounty.org,

District 3 – John Haschak haschakj@mendocinocounty.org,

District 1 – Glenn McGourty mcgourtyg@mendocinocounty.org,

District 2 – Mo Mulheren mulherenm@mendocinocounty.org,

District 5 – Ted Williams williamst@mendocinocounty.org

All Supervisors: bos@mendocinocounty.org

MCA Memos for 10-18 BoS Meeting

CLICK HERE to review MCA’s memos for the following two items to be discussed at tomorrow’s BoS Meeting. (You can CLICK HERE to see the materials for the Agenda items)

• Item 4b – Vegetation Removal is not ‘Development’
• Item 4d – Cannabis Applicant Appeals Process 

The Appeals item is especially Important to comment on!  Please try to share your personal opinion on why a fair appeals process is important to you. Details below!

If you support our positions please share that support with the Board of Supervisors. 

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 on all agenda items. Moving forward, we will provide links for each agenda item to comment on, so it’s worth your time to sign up now since this is the system the County will be using for submissions.

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 4b – Vegetation Removal is not ‘Development’
• Agenda Item 4d – Cannabis Applicant Appeals Process 

If you would also like to make a verbal comment (we recommend it!) on any or all of these items, there are two options.

1. If you would like to leave a message for the Board of Supervisors to be played during the October 18 meeting, you can leave a voicemail comment

 – Call 707-234-6333 and leave a voice message, up to 2 minutes in length, to be played during public expression/public comment, as it relates to the agenda.

– Speak clearly, being sure to state your full name, District #, and which agenda item you are calling for. YOU MUST LEAVE ONE MESSAGE PER AGENDA ITEM. MESSAGES MUST BE LEFT BY 7AM ON THE DAY OF THE MEETING TO BE SAFE.

– Anonymous phone messages will not be played back during the meeting!

2. Join the Zoom Webinar on 10-18-2022 and use the “raise hand” feature when Public Comment is called. For details and complete list of the latest available options by which to engage with agenda items, please CLICK HERE  

CLICK HERE to Join Zoom Webinar

Zoom Webinar ID: 836 4523 4243

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

Please also feel free to email your District Supervisor with your comments!

Make sure to include the agenda items that you’re writing about in your Email Subject

District 4 – Dan Gjerde gjerde@mendocinocounty.org,

District 3 – John Haschak haschakj@mendocinocounty.org,

District 1 – Glenn McGourty mcgourtyg@mendocinocounty.org,

District 2 – Mo Mulheren mulherenm@mendocinocounty.org,

District 5 – Ted Williams williamst@mendocinocounty.org

All Supervisors: bos@mendocinocounty.org

Thank you for your support! 

MCA Memos for 10-17 GGC Meeting

CLICK HERE to read MCA’s memos for Public Expression and the following two items to be discussed at tomorrow’s General Government Committee (GGC) Meeting which starts at 1:30PM. You can CLICK HERE to see the meeting agenda.

• Public Expression
• Item 2a – LJAGP
• Item 2b – Ad Hoc Recommendations

If you support our positions please share that support with the GGC, which is made up of Supervisors Dan Gjerde and Mo Mulheren.  The GGC is the committee through which all new cannabis items will be reviewed prior to going to the full Board to take action.

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 on all agenda items. Moving forward, we will provide links for each agenda item to comment on, so it’s worth your time to sign up now since this is the system the County will be using for submissions.

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
• Item 2a – LJAGP
• Item 2b – Streamlining / Ad Hoc Recommendations

If you would also like to make a verbal comment (we recommend it!) on any or all of these items, there are two options.

1. If you would like to leave a message for the Board of Supervisors to be played during the GGC meeting, you can leave a voicemail comment

 – Call 707-234-6333 and leave a voice message, up to 2 minutes in length, to be played during public expression/public comment, as it relates to the agenda.

– Speak clearly, being sure to state your full name, District #, and which agenda item you are calling for. YOU MUST LEAVE ONE MESSAGE PER AGENDA ITEM. MESSAGES MUST BE LEFT BY 7AM ON THE DAY OF THE MEETING TO BE SAFE.

– Anonymous phone messages will not be played back during the meeting!

2. Join the Zoom Webinar on 10-17-2022 at 1:30PM and use the “raise hand” feature when Public Comment is called.

CLICK HERE to Join Zoom Webinar at 1:30 PM on Monday 10-17

Zoom Webinar ID: 897 2392 3484

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

Please also feel free to email Supervisors Gjerde and Mulheren with your comments!

Make sure to include the items that you’re writing about in your Email Subject.

Supervisor Dan Gjerde gjerde@mendocinocounty.org,

Supervisor Mo Mulheren mulherenm@mendocinocounty.org,

Thank you for your support! 

Final Documents for 10-04 BoS Meeting

NEW MEETUP TIME 1:30PM @ 501 Low Gap Road, Ukiah, CA 95482

We have just been made aware that the BoS will be hearing the cannabis items on the agenda after their lunch/Closed Session is complete on October 4. Lunch usually ends for them at 1:30, though they have indicated they may come back from Closed Session tomorrow after 2:30PM and expect nearly 4 hours of conversation on the cannabis items.

To make sure we do not miss the cannabis items in case the Board comes back early from Closed Session, we are requesting folks meet on October 4 at 501 Low Gap Road at 1:30PM.

In addition to the memos from Hannah Nelsonon on Appeals in Agenda Item 4h and the proposed Equity Program limitations in Agenda Item 4f, and the MCA memo in support of the Ad Hoc recommendations for Agenda Item 4g, we have one additional request.  

Sometimes the Board will choose to combine what they feel are similar items into one Agenda Item at the meeting, which would then limit commenters to only 3 minutes of comment on multiple items instead of on each item.  The complexity of these individual items requires focused discussion and the opportunity to consider detailed input on each one.  In your outreach to the supervisors, or in PUBLIC EXPRESSION on Granicus, please make sure to comment that it’s important to keep the cannabis items separated to maximize the opportunity to more thoroughly discuss each item.

PLEASE make comment on all of these items.  I’m seeing a handful of comments submitted digitally on Granicus, which is the County’s system for public commenting, but to make a real impression we’d like to see a lot more come through before 7AM tomorrow! 

CLICK HERE to see ALL memos and documents MCA and Hannah Nelson have submitted for 10-4.

CLICK HERE for info on how to comment to the BoS.

At 1:30 tomorrow at 501 Low Gap Road we will have signs to hand out to folks, and shirts that say ‘Protect Our Cannabis Heritage #WeAreStrongerTogether’ with the MCA logo on the back that we can all wear into the chambers to show solidarity.  The shirts will be available on site for $20 to cover the cost of their production. 

Please contact info@mendocannabis.com with any questions.

MCA Urges Adoption of Cannabis Ad Hoc Recommendations for 10-4

On Tuesday October 4 the Mendocino County Board of Supervisors will be discussing cannabis with the final report and recommendations for immediate action from the disbanding Cannabis Ad Hoc of Supervisors Haschak and McGourty.  After 10-4 all cannabis items will first be reviewed by the General Government Committee which will take a good deal of time to get up to speed on the scale of the current crisis.

CLICK HERE to read the recommendations.

MCA strongly supports these urgent suggestions from the Ad Hoc and we call on you and the broader Mendocino community to support them as well. We invite you, and all Mendocino residents who understand the value of our locally licensed cannabis industry, to call on the BoS to approve the Ad Hoc’s recommendations and to provide any necessary direction to Staff for them to be implemented.   We can not wait for these items to be further delayed by shifting them into a new committee.

MCA is planning an in person appearance in front of Board chambers at 501 Low Gap Road in Ukiah on 10-4 at 1:30pm prior to entering for the meeting. We will then enter the meeting and provide public comment on this item. 

We would like to further encourage you to share your support of these recommendations to your district Supervisor or the full Board in advance of the 10-4 meeting.  While the Board is used to hearing from a small number of MCA representatives on cannabis items, we feel this meeting is incredibly important, and the more voices we have in support, the more likely that the Board will feel inclined to adopt the recommendations which will ultimately benefit the entire County.

CLICK HERE for Talking Points to use when speaking or emailing your supervisors.

CLICK HERE for info on how to contact the Supervisors.