To: Board of Supervisors of the County of Sonoma
Department or Agency Name(s): Agriculture/Weights & Measures
Staff Name and Phone Number: Sue Ostrom 565-2371
Vote Requirement: 4/5th
Supervisorial District(s): Countywide
Title:
Title
Industrial Hemp Ordinance
End
Recommended Actions:
Recommended action
Adopt an Ordinance to add Chapter 37 to the Sonoma County Code and impose a moratorium on the cultivation of industrial hemp, including hemp cultivation by Established Agricultural Research Institutions but excluding industrial hemp research by institutions of higher education, within the unincorporated areas of Sonoma County prior to April 30, 2020.
end
Executive Summary:
On April 2, 2019, the Board of Supervisors adopted a resolution introducing, reading the title and waiving further reading of the proposed ordinance to imposing a moratorium on the cultivation of industrial hemp, including hemp cultivation by Established Agricultural Research Institutions but excluding industrial hemp research by institutions of higher education, within the unincorporated areas of Sonoma County prior to April 30, 2020.
This is the second board meeting to finalize the adoption of the ordinance. Staff recommends the Board adopt the ordinance.
Discussion:
Recent changes in federal and state laws regarding industrial hemp will soon allow the commercial growing of industrial hemp in California. The State is currently promulgating regulations to regulate certain elements of industrial hemp cultivation, however they are not yet finalized. Cultivation of industrial hemp poses several challenges at the local level including concerns over public safety, enforcement and compatibility with the emerging legal cannabis industry. Industrial hemp also presents opportunities for the economy and agricultural diversity.
On April 2, 2019, the Board of Supervisors considered the recommended ordinance to add Chapter 37 to Sonoma County Code and establish a moratorium on the cultivation of industrial hemp. The Board directed staff to make certain changes that were read into the record including: 1) excluding from the moratorium industrial hemp research conducted by institutions of higher education as defined by 20 U.S.C. Section 1001; and 2) adding a sunset date for the moratorium of April 30, 2020. At the same meeting, the Board of Supervisors also adopted an urgency ordinance establishing a similar moratorium on industrial hemp cultivation that went into effect immediately following passage.
An ordinance prohibiting the growing of industrial hemp, with the exception of research by institutions of higher education, will allow time for the State to finalize regulations and for staff to better understand what local controls may be needed to ensure the cultivation of industrial hemp is compatible in Sonoma County. Additionally, institutions of higher learning may conduct research related to odor control and compatibility which would help to inform decisions related to regulation.
Prior Board Actions:
4/2/19: Adopted Urgency Ordinance prohibiting the cultivation of industrial hemp with the exception of research by institutes of higher learning
Fiscal Summary
|
Expenditures |
FY 18-19 Adopted |
FY19-20 Projected |
FY 20-21 Projected |
|
Budgeted Expenses |
|
|
|
|
Additional Appropriation Requested |
|
|
|
|
Total Expenditures |
|
|
|
|
Funding Sources |
|
|
|
|
General Fund/WA GF |
|
|
|
|
State/Federal |
|
|
|
|
Fees/Other |
|
|
|
|
Use of Fund Balance |
|
|
|
|
Contingencies |
|
|
|
|
Total Sources |
|
|
|
Narrative Explanation of Fiscal Impacts:
N/A
|
Staffing Impacts: |
|
|
|
|
Position Title (Payroll Classification) |
Monthly Salary Range (A - I Step) |
Additions (number) |
Deletions (number) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Narrative Explanation of Staffing Impacts (If Required):
N/A
Attachments:
Permanent Industrial Hemp Ordinance
Industrial Hemp Resolution
Related Items “On File” with the Clerk of the Board: