Monterey County Supervisors approve temporary ban on new pot businesses

The Monterey County Board of Supervisors want to take a closer look at medical marijuana regulations. But to do that, they’re instituting an emergency ban on certain pot businesses.

The Board approved a 45-day emergency ordinance that puts a ban on new medical marijuana dispensaries in unincorporated Monterey County. This will give them time to come to a consensus about how to deal with the medical marijuana industry.

According to Supervisor John Phillips, Monterey County is one of about 12 counties in the state that does not have a concrete policy. The board will take a look at what other communities are doing to see what’s working before coming back to the drawing board. Some of these things include security, cultivation and taxation.

While the 45-day moratorium starts today, the Board will actually reconvene at the end of the month to look at any possible changes.

“There’s some issue about further exemptions from some people who are in the process that maybe, hasn’t started cultivating but are in the process of buying land and getting ready to start their cultivation operation,” Supervisor Phillips said.

While this could affect businesses in the application process, it does not affect businesses that are already up and running legally.

As it stands, the moratorium is 45 days long, but it could be extended up to two years.