Monterey County accepting marijuana permit applications
“The county traditionally here was known as ‘come on vacation, leave on probation,'” Joey Espinoza said.
But that’s changing. On Wednesday, Monterey County began accepting applications for commercial and personal indoor medical cannabis grows.
Espinoza filed one for his client, and he calls it a historic moment.
“And now to see it change and to see people be able to have businesses cultivating cannabis, manufacturing cannabis, dispensing cannabis is completely different from what Monterey County has traditionally been known as,” Espinoza said.
A move Espinoza hopes will lift the veil growers have been hiding under.
“It’s an opportunity for them to be accepted, it’s an opportunity to be a legitimate business, and not hide in the shadows,” Espinoza said.
After studying the impact of marijuana growth for about a year, the plan was officially approved in August.
Providing an opportunity for the county to explore uncharted territory.
“We’ve been learning the aspects that go into cultivating it, the water needs, the electrical needs, how they grow it indoor, the manufacturing of it and the distribution of it. So, it’s all brand new to us,” said John Guertin with Monterey County Resource Management.
Not everyone rushed to the county office, because the application requires proof that each site meets the county requirements.
“These applications and the administrative hurdles to file applications, they are substantial, and it takes a lot of energy and it takes a lot of expertise,” said cannabis attorney Gavin Kogan.
Kogan said the permit will not only benefit the growers.
“Lawyers, accountants, electricians, the contractors, the water supply specialist, the irrigation specialist, people who build fences, it creates an enormous industry,” Kogan said.
Permits are currently not available in Moss Landing. The county said it needs to meet with the Coastal Commission first since it’s by the water.
Adult use/recreational cannabis businesses will not be permitted until state licenses become available, probably in January of 2018.
