Plumas Action Network hosts commercial cannabis forum
“We’re going to try and get into the weeds — no pun intended,” said Jeff Cunan, the evening’s moderator, as interested members of the public gathered to learn more about commercial cannabis and Measure B.
There wasn’t a seat to be had as area residents gathered to hear the proponents and opponents of Measure B in the Quincy Library meeting room on Wednesday evening, Oct. 10.
The event, hosted by the Plumas Action Network, featured 90 minutes of statements and audience questions, moderated by Cunan, the county’s former district attorney.
The co-authors of Measure B, Chelsea Bunch and Kim Scott, sat on one side of Cunan, while those speaking for the opposition, Sharon Covington and Bill Martin representing the Cannabis Citizens Group, sat on the opposite side.
Opening statements
The proponents of Measure B opened the forum. Kim Scott began by explaining the purpose of Proposition 64, which California voters passed in 2016. “The goal of Prop 64 was to decriminalize cannabis and bring the already existing cannabis industry into regulatory compliance with the state,” she said. She explained that “Prop. 64 also allowed cannabis businesses that were previously mandated to be nonprofit and provide them the opportunity to become for profit by including the word commercial.”
But Scott said that even nonprofits pay taxes, albeit it at a lower rate. “Prior to the moratorium on cannabis in Plumas County, cannabis businesses were paying taxes, creating jobs, and investing in the local economy by spending their business dollars here.”
Then Scott turned her comments to environmental oversight and quoted a remark on the No on Measure B website that states: “The idea that Measure B growers will be monitored by any state regulatory agency is a fantasy. There aren’t any roving water board SWAT teams watching anyone in Plumas.”
“This is a perfect example of assumptions overriding facts,” Scott said, and then cited three state agencies that would have jurisdiction. “These teams are made up of law enforcement personnel and detectives.”
She said the last topic she wanted to address in her opening was environmental impacts. “Measure B does not exempt itself from CEQA oversight,” she said, which is the California Environmental Quality Act.
She said that all properties in Plumas County are CEQA compliant, and Measure B follows the general plan zoning chart exactly “making no new zones and therefore not creating a need for a new environmental impact report.”
She said that if the state didn’t accept this, then the cost of the report would be on the grower, not the county.
“In conclusion Measure B will bring past and future cannabis businesses into compliance, provide oversight, and protect the environment.”
Bill Martin delivered the opening remarks for the opposition to Measure B. “You may be surprised to learn that members of the Cannabis Citizens Group, which we represent tonight, are not opposed to medical or recreational use of marijuana. In fact, some of our group’s members grow, use and are patients or veterans. What we are opposed to is commercial cannabis activity in Plumas County.”
But he said that even if they weren’t opposed to commercial cannabis, they would still oppose Measure B for several reasons: It’s not just about cultivation and includes manufacturing, distribution and retail outlets that would impact environment, tourism, crime rate, and social services; it alters zoning; and it is a county administrative nightmare because of loopholes and confusing definitions that could invite lawsuits.
“Measure B is unworkable, unconstitutional and unfair to priority growers,” Martin said.
He said it was unconstitutional because it favors priority residents over other. “This is a clear violation of our 14th Amendment rights to equal protection under our laws,” he said. He questioned the specificity of the definition of a priority resident as well as the license requirements.
Martin also used the opening statement to question how the county could reap its tax revenue when cannabis businesses self report and operate in cash only.
Not only did he question the ability to collect taxes, but he warned that commercial cannabis would cost the county with the need to administer the ordinance defined by Measure B.
Martin also discussed jobs. “Measure B promises new jobs without explaining how legally required federal withholding for income tax, Social Security and Medicare would be handled by cash-only businesses that cannot legally use banks,” he said.
What recourse does a landowner have with a cannabis grow next door?
Bunch said that all facets of a cannabis grow would be subject to regulation and cited odor control and setbacks as examples. Fellow proponent Scott said that residents who experienced issues could contact the proper authority or the sheriff.
When it was the opponents’ turn to respond, Covington said that currently if a nursery, for example, wanted to be in an area, neighbors would receive a notice of intent and a special use permit would be required. “This excludes the special use permit,” she said. She expressed concern that a cash-only business such as commercial cannabis “could disrupt the character of the neighborhood.”
In this forum, the speakers had the opportunity for rebuttals and Scott said that the “only people that would be exempt are those who already grow” and Bunch told those gathered that no cannabis grows would be allowed in residential areas.
Covington countered that people also live in rural and suburban areas, where neighbors would be allowed to grow. And Martin addressed the assertion that those with complaints could simply call the appropriate authority, such as the state water board in Sacramento.
What would happen if Measure B doesn’t pass?
Bunch said there are a number of populations reliant on medical marijuana — such as veterans with PTSD, children and cancer victims —that wouldn’t have local access. “They would have to drive three hours to Sacramento,” she said.
Scott addressed the need for the jobs that Measure B would produce. “It’s a great opportunity to start a new industry,” she said.
Martin addressed Bunch’s assertion by saying, “They claim there’s a great lineup of people who need cannabis.” He said that those people seem to be having their needs met from outside deliveries and that there are people on their group’s opposition list who use it medicinally.
Covington said that Measure B as written, is “incredibly convoluted” and if it doesn’t pass, expects that there will be future endeavors to craft another measure. She said that she would like the board of supervisors to work with the planning department to develop an ordinance.
“An attorney worked on this for four months,” Bunch said.
Measure B requires growers to pay taxes. How will the county be able to accurately collect them?
Covington said that there is no sales tax to be collected, but there is a 2 percent tax on net profits, not gross profits. She said that would allow the growers to claim all types of expenses, such as a trip to Hawaii to investigate different strains of cannabis. “There is no accountability,” she said, and reminded the audience that “federally, it’s still a Class 1 drug.”
Martin questioned how the county would collect the taxes since commercial cannabis is an all cash business that can’t deposit in banks.
“That’s another farce,” Bunch said of the financial information advanced by those against Measure B. She cited the federal tax form 280E, and the required state tax form and seller’s permit as evidence. “They are very well aware of what money is coming in,” she said. “There is no way with 280E, no opportunity to falsify.”
Scott said, “The state has seed-to sale-tracking.” She also addressed the banking issue by noting that “credit unions can work with cannabis activities” and that many do.
If Measure B doesn’t pass, then a county moratorium is scheduled to remain in effect until October of 2019, and Scott said it would “go back to the board to consider its options.”
Bunch said that when the process began back in 2016, they were told something would be in place, but when it wasn’t, they drafted their own measure.
Martin elaborated that if something isn’t adopted by Oct. 24 of 2019, then the county will “be living with what the state develops.”
How will it affect crime? Can you provide statistics? Will the sheriff need to hire more deputies?
Bunch said with commercial cannabis would come more people and the need for more law enforcement and social services, but that would be a result of more people, not the activity itself. She said that in 2014, after commercial cannabis was approved in Colorado, they “saw crime rates drop.”
“These places are like banks, they have such strong security with cameras 24 hours per day,” she said. “It also removes the black market.”
Martin questioned the Colorado figures quoted by Bunch, saying that according to a study he read, crime overall increased by 11 percent and violent crime increased by 18 percent since the inception of commercial cannabis.
(See page 11B of this newspaper, for the most recent crime figures as provided by the US Attorney for the state of Colorado.)
Covington used the question to discuss the proponents’ assertion that the industry would create needed jobs. “Jobs are available in Plumas County; just can’t find people who are willing to work,” she said. She added that seasonal pickers wouldn’t solve the job issue in Plumas.
What are the potential environmental impacts of cannabis production?
Covington said that the crop requires high uses of water and fertilizer. Martin, who serves on the local water board, worried about what would happen if toxins infiltrated the water supply. “We wouldn’t be able to do anything,” he said. They both worried that entities wouldn’t be able to monitor the possible abuses.
“You are so negative with departments being able to do their jobs,” Scott said. “Retail is retail. Ag is ag. I’m confident all these departments can do their jobs.”
Bunch described cannabis as one of the most highly regulated industries.
Priority residents. What is that? May that be deemed unconstitutional?
“A priority resident is someone here before 2016, identified by the state, who has been paying taxes,” Scott said. The priority resident is limited to 10 percent of the licenses awarded in the first year.
Martin said that the priority residents would be given rights that a non-resident wouldn’t have, which would result in lawsuits.
“We ran this by legal experts,” Covington said. “We will find lawsuits from without and within.”
Scott said that there is a severability clause in the measure, which would allow a portion of the measure to be removed while the rest could stand. Scott also mentioned the 50 cultivation licenses under Measure B.
However, Covington countered, that the measure allowed for 50 cultivation licenses and 20 micro-businesses, which could result in “70 of the growing sort.”
Is Measure B permanent?
“Yes,” said Covington. “The ordinance had to be accepted exactly as is.” The only way to change it is by another ballot process.
Martin said to avoid that situation, voters should turn down the measure, and then the board could work with the planning department where three ordinances are waiting to be considered.
Scott said that it wasn’t permanent because someone else could come along and do what they did. She also said they “didn’t define a lot so there could be discretion for the county.”
“When things aren’t defined clearly, you end up in court,” Martin responded.
If Measure B fails, what would be the status of medical marijuana?
Those opposed to Measure B say that it would be as it is now. Individuals could grow up to six plants or become part of a cooperative of caregivers and obtain what they need that in that manner.
Covington said she has friends who grow medically and they maintain that two plants are enough to meet their needs.
Scott said that the ability to grow cannabis doesn’t meet everyone’s needs. For example some people need oil and that involves manufacturing.
“Measure B returns medical rights to the people,” Scott said.
What is the long-term effect of Measure B? What will it look like in 2029? What’s your most compelling reason for Measure B?
“Accessibility. Restrictions. Jobs,” said Bunch.
Scott echoed that by saying that she has young adult children who don’t live out of the county because of a lack of job opportunities. “I want to see a prosperous Plumas County in 2029,” she said.
“I have the same goals,” said Covington. “I want a vigorous, prosperous county.”
Both she and Martin discussed the job issue in the county. She said that earlier when she made the remark that people aren’t willing to work, she wasn’t implying that they were lazy, but that some need to learn a trade. “Learning a trade is honorable,” she said. “If you live here, you do what it takes.”
“Chester is falling apart,” Bunch said. “People have to move away because of Plumas’ plight.”
“We need a revitalized community,” Covington responded, “but Measure B isn’t it, nor is commercial cannabis.”
Closing statements
Bunch cited her four main goals with Measure B: accessibility, revenue, job creation and children.
As for accessibility, she doesn’t want people to have to drive to Reno or Sacramento for their cannabis needs.
Commercial cannabis will bring revenue to the county, which will allow it to expand its social services programs.
As for jobs, “I can’t stress this enough, the work force is struggling to find work,” she said.
And as for youth, “Regulations keep children away from cannabis. There is strict marketing and no way to actually target children.”
She concluded with, “As I watch Chester fall apart, it breaks my heart.”
In his closing remarks, Martin took issue with Measure B proponents claiming it was a local effort, since most of their campaign materials were purchased out of county and 50 percent of their campaign funds have come from one out-of-the-county contributor.
He also reiterated points made earlier in the forum, that commercial cannabis would be allowed in rural residential zones and in all suburban zones, there would be more illegal grows and the propensity for lawsuits.
“There are many problems with this ordinance,” he said and cited the bypassing of landowner rights, the elimination of environmental safeguards, and no way to alter provisions of the measure if it passes.
Martin concluded by saying that Measure B “is written by growers for growers at our expense. Vote No.”
