Unregistered commercial cannabis growers in the unincorporated areas of San Luis Obispo County could pay fines of $1,000 per day, after the County Board of Supervisors authorized fineing people and organizations that are knowingly breaking the law.
“Hundreds of people followed the law and registered their commercial cannabis operations in the unincorporated areas of the county,” Assistant County Administrative Officer Guy Savage said, “but some people are ignoring local laws and could suffer significant consequences. We will enforce our own laws and this is the first step to doing so.”
Any growers that did not register their cannabis cultivation operations with the County by last Nov. 18 is considered to be violating an urgency County ordinance that banned cultivation of cannabis in all unincorporated areas. That ordinance is in place until Sept. 19 or when the Board of Supervisors adopts a permanent ordinance.
Savage has already been working with staff to draft a permanent ordinance, most recently making an appearance at a packed event in Nipomo to take public input.
County Counsel, Rita Neal, was quoted by the administrative office as saying the County already started by filing complaints against unregistered growers in California Valley, but will now focus on other areas as well.
The County began filing complaints in Superior Court May 25.
For full information, go online to: slocounty.ca.gov/planning/Cannabis-Cultivation.
