October 26th 2024.
As Halloween draws near, the city of Santa Cruz is busy preparing for the spooky festivities. However, amidst the orange pumpkins and ghostly white costumes, the County Board of Supervisors is gearing up for a meeting that will have a different focus - cannabis.
Next week, the board will be discussing two proposed ordinances that would allow on-site cannabis consumption at existing retailers and farming locations. The meeting, which will be held at 701 Ocean St. in Santa Cruz, promises to be an interesting one with a packed agenda. To ensure a smooth discussion, the items will be heard no earlier than 1:30 pm.
The first item on the agenda deals with inhalable cannabis products that can be consumed at retail locations or on adjacent parcels in the unincorporated areas. The staff report outlines strict regulations for designated smoking areas, including proper ventilation and odor control. These areas must also comply with state laws for smoke-free workplaces.
Currently, there are 12 licensed cannabis dispensaries in the unincorporated areas of the county. However, not all of them will be able to implement on-site consumption due to space, site, or economic limitations. But it's not just retailers who are looking to jump on the bandwagon. Local farmers are also interested in selling cannabis products and allowing on-site consumption on their farms. This has led to the proposal of a second ordinance that would permit retail sales and consumption at farming locations.
Proponents of this ordinance believe that it could boost tourism in the area by attracting visitors who are interested in learning more about the cannabis industry and the cultivation process. The county staff has proposed a three-year pilot program for this ordinance, allowing for feedback and monitoring from operators, neighbors, the general public, and county staff. The ideal number of participating retail farms for this program is estimated to be between five to seven.
These recommendations come after almost a year of community discussions, consultations with farmers and retailers, and research on similar programs in other jurisdictions. The county staff has also conducted informational interviews to gather more insights.
While a thorough economic analysis of the impact of on-site consumption is limited, the staff believes that it could bring a marginal increase in the total Cannabis Business Tax collected by the county each year. However, the real benefits could be seen in the overall economic growth of the county as it becomes a desirable tourist destination. It could also encourage collaboration among local businesses as they develop tours featuring multiple destinations and activities.
The board will also be discussing another proposed ordinance that aligns with a recently-implemented state housing law. This ordinance would allow property owners in single-family residential zones to build two units or subdivide their lot into two parcels, resulting in a total of four units. Local jurisdictions can conduct design reviews under this law, but public hearings will not be required for projects that meet state rules.
If you're interested in attending the meeting, it will be held at 701 Ocean St. in Santa Cruz or you can join via Zoom at us06web.zoom.us/j/81732202363. The meeting will start no earlier than 1:30 pm on Tuesday. So mark your calendars and get ready for a discussion on the future of cannabis in Santa Cruz County.
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