Native Tribe Wants Capay Valley Cannabis Operations Relocated — At Its Own Expense

The proliferation of cannabis farming in a backwoods region of Yolo County known as the Capay Valley has caused some headaches for local farms and residences, many of which are owned by the Yocha Dehe Wintun native tribe. To solve the problem, the tribe is offering to have cannabis production relocated to another part of the county at its own expense.

The Capay Valley comprises just 8% of Yolo’s land mass but accounts for half of all legal cannabis farms. The region is extremely secluded, which makes it difficult for law enforcement and code compliance officers to reach. It’s also a place of reverence for the Yocha Dehe Wintun. The tribe would like to see it get special protection from the county.

“The current situation in the Capay Valley is unworkable,” said Anthony Roberts, chairman of the Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation (Lake County News). “So, a cannabis ordinance that perpetuates the current situation is unworkable. This would be obvious to all if there was an environmental impact report that showed how the Valley has changed with cannabis. But so far, Yolo County has produced no such report.”

The Yolo County Board of Supervisors shelved a new cannabis land use ordinance last week while it considers the tribe’s offer.