CA county begins process of reversing controversial marijuana cultivation ban

A rural California county has begun the process of reversing a commercial marijuana cultivation ban established in January 2018, in what could prove to be a major win for cannabis growers in the region.

The Calaveras County Board of Supervisors told staff to begin prepping a new MJ regulatory ordinance that represents a “180-degree turn” from the county’s previous position on commercial cannabis grows, according to The Union Democrat of Sonora.

Three of the county’s five supervisors favored moving forward on a new ordinance, the Sonora newspaper reported, in a dramatic shift that many county farmers were hoping for after the November election in which two anti-cannabis board members were unseated.

The supervisors on Tuesday discussed “how large grows could be, what growers will be allowed to apply and permitting processes” with county staff, The Union Democrat reported.

But details on a specific ordinance have yet to emerge.

Calaveras farmers last year filed a class action lawsuit against the county, demanding the return of more than $16 million in taxes and fees they had paid before the cultivation ban was enacted. Then, last month, county officials decided to refund roughly $1 million in fees to growers.