New Cannabis Cultivation Rules are expected to be rolled-out within the next year. The new rules are designed to make it easier, for at least 75 cannabis growers (in the un-incorporated portions of the county). The changes were approved yesterday by the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors in a 3-2 vote. Commercial cannabis cultivation has been legal in Santa Cruz County since the state legalized the drug for recreational use at the start of 2018. According to the Santa Cruz County Cannabis Licensing Office, no cannabis cultivator has yet been formally licensed by Santa Cruz County, and only 9 applicants are well on their way. The 63 businesses legally cultivating in Santa Cruz County so far are operating with temporary local authorizations.
The Cannabis Licensing Office also plans to survey local growers to better understand why they have not yet applied for a license, and to hold at least one outreach and education event per quarter.
