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Department of Agriculture recommending the Board:
1) Receive and file a department presentation on the work of the Industrial Hemp Joint Working Committee relative to the concerns raised in regards to the cultivation of industrial hemp;
2) Direct staff to continue to pursue the Industrial Hemp Pilot Program Concept; and
3) Adopt and authorize the Chair to sign Resolution of Intention 140-2022 to amend Title 130 of the County Zoning Ordinance to enact a ban on the cultivation of industrial hemp for all purposes within the unincorporated area of the County to take effect prior to the expiration of the interim moratorium on industrial hemp.
FUNDING: N/A
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DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND
On December 15, 2020, the Board adopted Ordinance 5137 imposing a forty-five-day moratorium on the cultivation of industrial hemp for all purposes within the unincorporated area of the County consistent with Government Code section 65858.
On January 26, 2021, the Board adopted Ordinance 5138 extending the moratorium for an additional 10 months and 15 days.
On December 7, 2021, the Board adopted Ordinance 5154 extending the interim moratorium for one last time for an additional twelve (12) months and is set to expire on December 6, 2022.
On December 7, 2021 the Board directed staff and the joint working committee on industrial hemp, comprising two members of the Community & Economic Development Advisory Committee (CEDAC) and two members of the Agricultural Commission, to 1) continue to explore if all concerns raised in regards to law enforcement and safety issues, impact to neighbors, county cost to regulate, and internal county staffing capacity can be successfully addressed in an ordinance; and 2) by the end of 2022, bring back an ordinance for an industrial hemp pilot program or an ordinance for the permanent ban on industrial hemp.
The joint working committee met with various stakeholders, including County departments and industrial hemp growers, on February 10, 202...
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