Calaveras County May Move To Ban Marijuana Cultivation After All

While the state scrambles to align rules for medical and recreational marijuana, counties face dilemmas about local regulations.

The Calaveras Board of Supervisors may reverse its course and abandon regulation.

In 2016, Calaveras County collected roughly $3.7 million from hundreds of applicants seeking a legal permit to cultivate marijuana.

Residents who opposed the move sought to bring a ban before voters - but it was thrown out by a judge earlier this spring.

Now County Supervisors are considering their own ban…on commercial cultivation, manufacture, (lab testing) and distribution of cannabis.

At last night’s meeting residents heard the draft plan and aired comments late into the night.

Ban supporters urged the county to prohibit medical marijuana dispensaries as well.

Local cannabis proponents said the industry will bring economic growth to a county still reeling from the Butte Fire, and the Recession.

Calaveras County Supervisors can’t move to vote on a ban until an Environmental Impact Report is complete, that’s expected in June.