MEETING DATE: 6/25/2019
DEPARTMENT: COUNTY COUNSEL
DEPT HEAD/DIRECTOR: Barbara Thompson, County Counsel
AGENDA ITEM PREPARER: Barbara Thompson
SBC DEPT FILE NUMBER: 160
SUBJECT:
COUNTY COUNSEL'S OFFICE - B. THOMPSON
Continue Public Hearing from the June 11, 2019 meeting regarding new proposed hemp ordinance, County Code Chapter 7.04. Adopt ordinance to add Chapter 7.04 to Title 7 of the San Benito County Code related to Hemp regulation, including but not limited to definitions, prohibitions, the establishment of the Hemp Entity Management Program, registration requirements and regulations, fees, zoning for cultivation, required setbacks, odor and pollen drift mitigation, minimum parcel size, other requirements and administration and enforcement provisions. ENVIRONMENTAL EVALUATION: Exempt from CEQA, including, but not limited to, State CEQA Guidelines sections 15061, subd. (b)(3) and 15308. APPLICANT/PROPONENT: San Benito County. PROPERTY: Unincorporated San Benito County.
SBC FILE NUMBER: 160
AGENDA SECTION:
PUBLIC HEARING - Top
BACKGROUND/SUMMARY:
The draft hemp ordinance was presented to the Planning Commission in May 2019 for its review and comment. The attached ordinance reflects the Planning Commission recommendation.
Further background:
The Agricultural Improvement Act of 2018, effective January 1, 2019, removed hemp from Schedule 1 of the Federal Controlled Substances Act. Thus, hemp is no longer federally regulated as a controlled substance.
Hemp registrations for general hemp cultivation will being shortly after the finalization of state regulations.
According to industry proponents, it is estimated that California will become the largest hemp cultivation and production market in the United States. As many as 25,000 products can be made for hemp, from use in the automobile industry (as reinforcement fiber), to use in foods, to use in body care products and to treat physical ailments, to use as a biofuel.
The Board has considered the issue of hemp and appointed a subcommittee to work on a draft hemp ordinance in light of changes in state and federal law, which has prompted great interest in both hemp cultivation, hemp manufacturing/extraction, and laboratory testing. A proposed ordinance was presented to the Planning Commission for its review and recommendation. The Planning Commission made recommended revisions to the setback section of the ordinance.
The Board considered this ordinance at its meeting of June 11th and continued to June 25th for adoption.
BUDGETED: