Until recently, the Wild West of U.S. cannabis lacked robust statewide regulations which left California cannabis companies subject to unclear rules and risk of federal shutdowns. The Medical Marijuana Regulation and Safety Act (MMRSA) created these regulations, but ultimately left control in the hands of local cities and counties. At last count, California has 58 counties and 482 incorporated cities across the state, each with the option to create its own rules or ban marijuana altogether. In this California Cannabis Countdown series, we plan to cover who is banning, who is waiting, and who is embracing the change to legalize marijuana permits, regulations, taxes and all. For each city and county, well discuss its location, history with cannabis, current law, and proposed law to give you a clearer picture of where to locate your cannabis business, how to keep it legal, and what you will and wont be allowed to do. Our last California Cannabis Countdown post was on the City of Sacramento, and before that, the City of Berkeley,Calaveras County,Monterey Countyand theCity of Emeryville.
Welcome to the California Cannabis Countdown.
Sonoma County is a remarkable location in California for cannabis cultivation, with its rich agricultural setting and generous possession and cultivation limits. However, until recently, the County only issued permits for dispensaries which do not allow foronsite cultivation, consumption, or delivery. The County is now in the beginning stages of drafting a comprehensive marijuana ordinance which will include not only commercial cultivation, but manufacturing,testing, distribution, transportation, and delivery as well.
Location. Sonoma County has a long history as one of the most agriculturally productive counties in the United States. This is largely due to its available, fertile land combined with an abundance of high quality irrigation water. Sonoma County is the largest producer of Californias Wine Country region and is home to over 250 wineries. Its wine industry also brings in millions of tourists each year which makes up a big part of the Countys local economy.
Sonoma Countys History with Cannabis.On May 17, 2005, the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors passed an urgency ordinance to place a temporary ban on new medical marijuana dispensaries due to the pending opening of new dispensaries within the County and to give itself time to createan appropriate permitting and land use policy for regulating marijuana within its boundaries. The Board later voted twice to extendthe moratorium on new dispensaries, on June 21, 2005, and again on May 5, 2006.
On September 26, 2006, the Board enacted Resolution No. 06-0846, which created guidelines for the possession and cultivation of medical marijuana by qualified patients and primary caregivers, as authorized by state law.
On March 20, 2007, the Board repealed its temporary ban on new dispensaries and passed Ordinance 5715 in order to amend the Sonoma County code and establish use permit requirements and operational standards for medical cannabis dispensaries.
On February 7, 2012, the Board adopted Ordinance 5967, amending the zoning code to limit the total number of medical cannabis dispensaries in Sonoma County to nine.
Following the passage of the MMRSA in California, on January 5, 2016, Sonoma County created the Medical Marijuana Ad Hoc Committee to develop and bring forward recommendations for comprehensive cannabis regulations consistent with the new state laws.
On February 2, 2016, the Board passed a resolution directing staff to develop new zoning regulations to permit marijuana cultivation, storage, distribution, deliveries, and manufacturing within Sonoma County.
Sonoma Countys Current Cannabis Laws.Under Section 26-88-126, medical cannabis dispensaries operating in Sonoma County are required to apply for and obtain use permits. Use permits are issued to medical cannabis dispensaries for a maximum term of one year and expire upon the sale or transfer of ownership of the dispensary by the original permit applicant. Medical cannabis dispensaries include collectives of 4 persons or more and are divided into two categories.
A Level 1 Medical Cannabis Dispensary is defined as a dispensary of not more than 1,000 square feet, which has less than 300 patients, where no more than 20 patients per business day are served. Level 1 dispensaries must be located in C1, C2 and LC zoning districts. The operating days and hours of Level 1 dispensaries are generally limited to Monday through Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
A Level 2 Medical Cannabis Dispensary is defined as a dispensary which has over 299 patients, and/or which is located in a facility of greater than 1,000 square feet, and/or which serves more than 20 patients per business day. Level 2 dispensaries must be located within designated Urban Service Areas in C2 or LC zoning districts. The operating days and hours of Level 2 dispensaries are generally limited to Monday through Saturday from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p ...
