Monterey County Board of Supervisors approve changes to outdoor Commercial Cannabis regulations

SALINAS, Calif. (KION-TV)- Monterey County Board of Supervisors approved some changes to the county's outdoor commercial cannabis regulations on Tuesday.

By a 3-2 vote, the Board decided to remove the cultivation requirement for a site to have proof of grow prior to 2016.

The amendment set a total cultivation area for the county to 140,00 square feet, increasing time to notice for permits and increasing required setbacks.

People in favor of the change says it made it easier for those looking to cultivate. However, people against the changes are concerned about the financial impact it could have on the County.

Supervisor Mary Adams said the changes add an additional hurdle for people to get permits.

"This is just exceptionally diffcult to get the permits and the land use," Adams said. "And this is just what we're discussing today is just one additional hurdle that people have to go through."

Adams did add that the County had to return nearly $370,000 in cannabis grant funding because there was not enough progress to warrant an extension.

The Monterey County District Attorney's Office says the restriction removal would add a burden to their enforcement team.