To: Board of Supervisors
From: Planning and Building Department
Agenda Section: Departmental
Vote Requirement: Majority
SUBJECT:
title
Report from Humboldt Cannabis Reform Initiative (HCRI) Ad Hoc Committee
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RECOMMENDATION(S):
Recommendation
That the Board of Supervisors:
1. Receive and consider the report from the Ad Hoc and accept public comments; and
2. Close public comment;
3. Make a motion to receive the report of the Ad Hoc for the Humboldt County Reform Initiative; and
4. Provide other direction to staff as appropriate.
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SOURCE OF FUNDING:
This is an unreimbursed expense affecting the cannabis budget unit (268) but since there is no allocation for this type of work in the Cannabis Planning budget unit (1100268), the cost will be borne by the Current Planning budget unit (1100277).
DISCUSSION:
At the meeting of March 7, 2023, the Board of Supervisors appointed Supervisors Arroyo and Bushnell to an Ad Hoc committee to meet with the sponsors of the HCRI. The Ad Hoc committee was given the following assignment:
a. Meet with sponsors of the HCRI to determine if alternative actions to voter consideration of the initiative are feasible,
b. Work with the HCRI sponsors, the public, cannabis industry stakeholders and staff to develop ordinance modifications,
c. In the event items a and b above are not feasible, develop a strategy to respond to the HCRI as submitted.
The Ad Hoc committee met with the sponsors of the HCRI three times. It was clear in the meetings that the sponsors want the initiative to go to the public for a vote and there is no interest in working collaboratively to develop an alternative ordinance which would address their goals and consider the impact of regulatory changes as currently drafted in the HCRI. The day prior to the last meeting between the Ad Hoc and the sponsors, the sponsors issued a response letter responding to the March 7, 2023 Analysis and issued a press release. The Ad Hoc expressed they would be taking a report back to the Board of Supervisors summarizing the discussions with the HCRI sponsors.
In terms of a strategy moving forward, the Ad Hoc committee did not believe attempting to develop an alternative ordinance was a good use of time given the uncertainty of what may happen during the election. The Ad Hoc committee did not want to take any additional action until it was understood what the county’s limitations are in responding to the HCRI.
STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK:
This action supports the following areas of your Board’s Strategic Framework.
Core Roles: N/A
New Initiatives: Engage in discussions of our regional economic future
Strategic Plan: 3.2 - Stabilize and support a successful cannabis economy
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
None
ALTERNATIVES TO STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS:
None
ATTACHMENTS:
PREVIOUS ACTION/REFERRAL:
Board Order No.: N/A
Meeting of: March 7, 2023
File No.: 23-186