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Cannabis Regulation & Licensing
On February 27, 2018, the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors adopted a series of ordinances that allow commercial cannabis operations within the County's unincorporated area. The ordinances categorize cannabis operations into seven license types, and allow each license type in certain zones throughout the County's unincorporated area. On May 1, 2018, the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors adopted the Cannabis Business License Ordinance, which added a local commercial cannabis business license to the County Code, added a complete outdoor cannabis cultivation ban in the coastal zone, and an acreage limit of 186 acres to the Carpinteria Agricultural Overlay District.
Latest News and Updates
What is Measure T2018? (Taxation of Cannabis Operations)
If approved by a majority of voters on June 5, 2018, Measure T2018 authorizes the County to impose a tax on cannabis operations within the unincorporated area of the County. If passed, beginning July 1, 2018 every person who engages in cannabis operations, including the cultivating, manufacturing, producing, preparing, storing, providing, donating, selling, or distributing cannabis or cannabis products within the unincorporated area of the County would pay to the Treasurer-Tax Collector a tax on the gross receipts of their operation's activities involving cannabis or cannabis products, as follows:
- Nursery: 1% of gross receipts, and
- Distributor (excluding Distributor Transport Only): 1% of gross receipts; and
- Manufacturing: 3% of gross receipts; and
- Cultivation: 4% of gross receipts; and
- Retail: 6% of gross receipts; and
- Microbusiness: 6% of gross receipts.
The tax would be a general tax as authorized by California Constitution Article XIII C Section 2 and Cal. Gov. Code Section 53723 as may be amended. As a general tax, the revenue generated may be used for any general governmental purpose.
Final PEIR Available
The Final Programmatic Environmental Impact Report (PEIR) is now available (for details, also see the flier). The Montecito Planning Commission, County Planning Commission, and Board of Supervisors will conduct public hearings regarding the Project and the Final PEIR at the dates and times listed in the calendar below.
County Letter for Temporary State Cannabis Licenses
On December 14, 2017, the Board of Supervisors approved a letter that medical cannabis cultivators, that believe they are legal non-conforming under Chapter 35-1003, may request from the County. This letter is required only for entities or individuals applying for Temporary State Cultivation licenses. Please send a request for the County of Santa Barbara Temporary State License Letter, a copy of a sworn affidavit (sample below) and other requested documents (see the bottom of the sample affidavit) to cannabisinfo@countyofsb.org. County staff will return your County letter within 24-36 hours via email for submittal with your request to the State for a Temporary License.
The Bureau of Cannabis Control had released the Medicinal and Adult-Use Cannabis Regulations. These proposed regulations can be viewed here.
Receive email alerts when new information becomes available from the County regarding its cannabis permitting and licensing process. Use the button at the right to subscribe. You can also send us an email with comments.
Calendar of Events
| Date | Meeting/NextStep | Time and Location | Resources |
|---|---|---|---|
| 06/05/18 |
Cannabis Operations Tax on the Primary Elections Ballot |
||
| 05/08/18 |
Board of Supervisors Second Reading of Right to Farm Ordinance |
9:00 a.m.
Betteravia Government Center, 511 East Lakeside Parkway, Santa Maria (remote testimony can be given in Santa Barbara in the BOS hearing room) |
Email: sbcob@co.santa-barbara.ca.us |
| 05/01/18 |
Board of Supervisors
Cannabis Amendments to the Santa Barbara County Uniform Rules for Agricultural Preserves and Farmland Security Zones and Article V, the Right to Farm Ordinance
|
9:00 a.m.
County Board Hearing Room, 105 E. Anapamu St., Fourth Floor, Santa Barbara (remote testimony can be given in Santa Maria in the in the BOS hearing room.) |
Email: sbcob@co.santa-barbara.ca.us |
| 04/10/18 |
Board of Supervisors First Reading of Business License Ordinance |
9:00 a.m.
Betteravia Government Center, 511 East Lakeside Parkway, Santa Maria (remote testimony can be given in Santa Barbara in the BOS hearing room) |
Email: sbcob@co.santa-barbara.ca.us |
| 03/20/18 |
Board of Supervisors Board agenda items to consider:
|
9:00 a.m.
County Board Hearing Room, 105 E. Anapamu St., Fourth Floor, Santa Barbara (remote testimony can be given in Santa Maria in the in the BOS hearing room.) |
Email: sbcob@co.santa-barbara.ca.us |
| 02/27/18 | Board of Supervisors
Board agenda item to consider ballot measure argument in support of Cannabis Operation Tax Board agenda item to reconsider ordinance amendments to the Land Use Permitting Ordinance adopted on February 6, 2018 |
9:00 a.m.
County Board Hearing Room, 105 E. Anapamu St., Fourth Floor, Santa Barbara (remote testimony can be given in Santa Maria in the in the BOS hearing room.) |
Email: sbcob@co.santa-barbara.ca.us |
| 02/06/18 | Board of Supervisors
Presentation and a recommendation on the adoption of proposed ordinances amendments to the LUDC, CZO, and MLUDC and certification of the Cannabis Land Use Ordinance and Licensing Program Final EIR. |
11:00 a.m.
County Board Hearing Room, 105 E. Anapamu St., Fourth Floor, Santa Barbara (remote testimony can be given in Santa Maria in the BOS hearing room) |
Email: sbcob@co.santa-barbara.ca.us |
| 01/24/18 | County Planning Commission
Presentation and a recommendation on adoption to the Board on the Cannabis Land Use Ordinance Amendments and Licensing Program Update and associated Final EIR. |
9:00 a.m.
Planning Commission Hearing Room, 123 East Anapamu Street, Room 17, Santa Barbara (remote testimony can be given in Santa Maria in the BOS hearing room) |
Email for Public Comments: dvillalo@countyofsb.org |
| 01/23/18 | Board of Supervisors
Consider recommendations regarding taxation of Cannabis-related Operations and additional options and operational issues |
9:00 a.m.
County Board Hearing Room, 105 E. Anapamu St., Fourth Floor, Santa Barbara (remote testimony can be given in Santa Maria in the in the BOS hearing room and in Carpinteria from the Carpinteria-Summerland Fire Department Administrative Offices, Conference Room, 1140 Eugenia Place in Carpinteria. ) |
Email: sbcob@co.santa-barbara.ca.us |
| 01/12/18 | Board of Supervisors
Due to ongoing emergency response, the Special Meeting of the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors added for January 12, 2018 has been cancelled. All agenda items scheduled for the meeting on January 12 will be moved to the agenda of Tuesday, January 23, 2018. |
8:00 a.m.
COUNTY ENGINEERING BUILDING, PLANNING COMMISSION HEARING ROOM, FIRST FLOOR, 123 EAST ANAPAMU STREET, SANTA BARBARA (remote testimony can be given in Santa Maria in the BOS hearing room) |
Email: sbcob@co.santa-barbara.ca.us |
| 01/10/18 | County Planning Commission
Presentation and a recommendation on adoption to the Board on the Cannabis Land Use Ordinance Amendments and Licensing Program Update and associated Final EIR. |
9:00 a.m.
|
Email for Public Comments: dvillalo@countyofsb.org |
| 01/09/18 | Board of Supervisors
POSTPONED - Due to Emergency Conditions within Santa Barbara County related to the severe storm event, The Board of Supervisors is altering their Meeting Agenda for January 9, 2018. Consideration of Taxation of Cannabis Related Operations will be rescheduled to a later date. |
9:00 a.m.
County Board Hearing Room, 105 E. Anapamu St., Fourth Floor, Santa Barbara (remote testimony can be given in Santa Maria in the BOS hearing room) |
Email: sbcob@co.santa-barbara.ca.us |
| 01/03/18 | Montecito Planning Commission
Presentation and a recommendation on adoption to the Board and County Planning Commission on the Cannabis Land Use Ordinance Amendments and Licensing Program and associated Final EIR. |
9:00 a.m.
Planning Commission Hearing Room, 123 East Anapamu Street, Room 17 |
Email for Public Comments: dvillalo@countyofsb.org |
| 12/14/17 | Board of Supervisors
Cannabis Update |
10:00 a.m.
County Board Hearing Room, 105 E. Anapamu St., Fourth Floor, Santa Barbara (remote testimony can be given in Santa Maria in the BOS hearing room) |
Email: sbcob@co.santa-barbara.ca.us |
| 12/06/17 | County Planning Commission
Cannabis Land Use Ordinance Amendments and Licensing Program Update |
9:00 a.m.
Planning Commission Hearing Room, 123 East Anapamu Street, Room 17 |
Email for Public Comments: dvillalo@countyofsb.org |
| 11/15/17 | Montecito Planning Commission
Cannabis Land Use Ordinance Amendments and Licensing Program Update |
9:00 a.m.
Planning Commission Hearing Room, 123 East Anapamu Street, Room 17 |
Email for Public Comments: dvillalo@countyofsb.org |
| 11/14/17 | Board of Supervisors
Cannabis Update |
9:00 a.m.
Betteravia Government Center, 511 East Lakeside Parkway, Santa Maria (remote testimony can be given in Santa Barbara in the BOS hearing room) |
Email: sbcob@co.santa-barbara.ca.us |
| 10/17/17 | Draft PEIR Cannabis Land Use Ordinance and Licensing Program Public Meeting | 5:30 p.m.
Betteravia Government Center, 511 East Lakeside Parkway, Santa Maria |
Call: (805) 568-3400 Email: cannabisinfo@countyofsb.org |
| 10/12/17 | Draft PEIR Cannabis Land Use Ordinance and Licensing Program Public Meeting | 5:30 p.m.
County Board Hearing Room, 105 E. Anapamu St., Fourth Floor, Santa Barbara |
Call: (805) 568-3400 Email: cannabisinfo@countyofsb.org |
| 9/19/17 | County Board of Supervisors Meeting
Program update on the County Cannabis Ad Hoc Committee's progress |
9 a.m.
Betteravia Government Center, 511 East Lakeside Parkway, Santa Maria Remote testimony available at the County Administration Building Board Hearing Room, Fourth Floor, 105 East Anapamu Street, Santa Barbara |
Email for Public Comments: sbcob@co.santa-barbara.ca.us |
| 9/13/17 | County Planning Commission
Staff will provide a program update |
9 a.m.
|
Email for Public Comments: dvillalo@countyofsb.org |
| 8/25/17 | Cannabis Ad Hoc Committee of the Board of Supervisors Public Meeting | 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
Carpinteria City Council Chambers, 5775 Carpinteria Ave., Carpinteria 93013 |
Call: (805) 568-3400 Email: cannabisinfo@countyofsb.org |
Board of Supervisors Documents
- February 14, 2017 Attachment A - Medical Marijuana Overview
- February 2014 Attachment B - Proposition 64 Measure Language Summary
- Marijuana Regulations and Impacts of Proposition 64
- Marijuana Regulations & Impacts of Proposition 64
- Proposed Ordinance Establishing a Non-personal Cannabis Cultivation and Related Operations Registry Program (Second Reading) - April 11, 2017
- Attachment 2A - Draft County Registration Form Medical Cannabis Cultivation and Future Non-Medical Cannabis Cultivation and Related Operations
- Attachment 2B - Draft County Registration Form Medical Cannabis Cultivation and Future Non-Medical Cannabis Cultivation and Related Operations
Additional Cannabis Information from the County
- Planning and Development, Long Range Planning - Cannabis Information Project Page
- Agricultural Commissioner - Medical Cannabis Resources
Intergovernmental Links
State Cannabis Regulatory Agencies
- Bureau of Cannabis Regulation
- CalCannabis Cultivation Licensing
- Office of Manufactured Cannabis Safety
- State Treasurer's Cannabis Banking Working Group
DRAFT State Medical Cannabis Regulations
- Cal Department of Public Health
- Bureau of Marijuana Control Licensing Regulations
- State Department of Food and Agriculture
Other Resources
-
SB-94 Cannabis: medicinal and adult use
- A comprehensive trailer bill that consolidates the medical and adult-use cannabis regulatory frameworks, established under MCRSA and AUMA, into one single regulatory system for commercial cannabis activity, known as the Medicinal and Adult-Use of Cannabis Regulatory and Safety Act (MAUCRSA).
- California State Association of Counties (CSAC) Cannabis Policy Website
- California League of Cities
- Bureau of Medical Cannabis Regulation- Department of Consumer Affairs: http://www.bmcr.ca.gov/
- CalCannabis Cultivation Licensing - Department of Food & Agriculture: https://www.cdfa.ca.gov/is/mccp/
- Office of Manufactured Cannabis Safety - Department of Public Health: http://www.cdph.ca.gov/programs/pages/omcs.aspx
- Cannabis Health Impacts Information at Center for Disease Control
