In 2018, Mendocino County created the Cannabis Program Unit within the Department of Agriculture to implement the county’s Cannabis Cultivation Program, coordinate with departments, streamline processes to effectively implement the Cannabis Program, develop a sustainable framework to institutionalize the program into County government and establish a County infrastructure that evolves with changes in the developing cannabis market.
After reviewing the status of applications, the implementation of the cannabis accommodation district and looking forward to the Phase I re-opening and Phase III opening the County has identified the need to change the cannabis management structure to increase efficiencies.
Beginning April 1, 2019, the Cannabis Program Unit will be under the Department of Planning and Building Services and will report to Planning and Building Director Brent Schultz. Co-locating the Cannabis Program with Planning and Building will create a one-stop shop for inquiries and processing of all cannabis related permits and licenses. The co-location will allow streamlining of application processing and provide the community with both higher quality and more coordinated service delivery. To ensure a smooth transition for the re-opening of Phase I, the Cannabis Program Unit will be fully integrated in Planning and Building Services by April 1, 2019.
Remarking on the transition of the Cannabis Program, Agricultural Commissioner Harinder Grewal stated, “Moving the Cannabis Program to Planning and Building will reduce the trips for permitting required by the cannabis industry. This is a more cost effective approach to house the entire program in one department. We believe this program will be a shining example of success to Mendocino County."
"I look forward to building a strong and compliant environment for the cannabis industry to succeed. By adopting the Cannabis Program from the Agriculture Commissioner, it offers us the opportunity to create a more streamlined and efficient permitting process,” added Planning and Building Services Director Brent Schultz.
Details will be released soon by the Cannabis Program Unit regarding changes to the application process for the re-opening of Phase I. For more information, please contact the Mendocino County Executive Office at (707) 463-4441.
