Contra Costa Supervisors Pass 45-Day Moratorium on Hemp
Contra Costa County supervisors have placed a 45-day moratorium on new hemp cultivation following complaints from residents. The pause will give staff time to debate new rules and restrictions on hemp grows. The moratorium could also be extended if necessary.
There are five hemp growers registered with the county. All of them are actively involved in cultivation in the East County agricultural zone.
Residents near the sites have filed a number of complaints, including concerns about lights and odors. Supervisor Diane Burgis also raised the issue of verification that the plants contain only 0.3% THC. Cross-pollination can also result in inadvertent growth of marijuana plants. The county’s agricultural commissioner hopes the budget for testing (currently $2,000 annually) will increase in the future.
Industrial hemp cultivation has been legal with registration in Contra Costa County since 2018. Registration costs $900 per year. A separate license is needed to sell transplants, seedlings, or tissue culture plants. Learn more here.
