Nevada County Grand Jury • 2020-2021

"Marijuana Cultivation - Environmental Impacts" that discussed many of the industry issues addressed in this current

Published: May 11, 2021 8 pages
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Findings and Recommendations 7 findings

F1
There are approximately 3,500 - 4,000 illegal growers of cannabis in Nevada County.
Related Recommendations (1)
R1
The County should streamline the permitting process and reduce the costs to legalize cannabis operations.
F2
Currently only 2% - 3% of illegal cannabis growers convert to legal, permitted growers annually.
Related Recommendations (1)
R2
The County should return primary enforcement of illegal cannabis violations to the Sheriff.
F3
Costs tied to the legal permitting process discourage illegal cannabis growers from complying.
Related Recommendations (1)
R3
The County should re-evaluate fines and abatements to ensure compliance by those that can afford to pay to continue growing illegally.
F4
For illegal growers, the current County Ordinance has a fine system that is low when compared to other counties in the state. The County's "grace period" to abate and avoid fines potentially is another disincentive for illegal growers to legalize operations.
Related Recommendations (1)
R4
The NCSO should explore the use of enforcement tools such as satellite technology, drones, aerial surveillance and if appropriate request needed funds to implement.
F5
Enforcement of the Ordinance is assigned to a non-law enforcement agency known as the CCD.
Related Recommendations (1)
R5
The NCSO should evaluate the merits of additional Sheriff's substations in North San Juan and other remote areas to provide a local presence for the enforcement of the cannabis Ordinance.
F6
The CCD relies on citizen complaints to pursue and investigate illegal cannabis operations. Without a citizen's filed complaint, the CCD does not pursue visible or obvious illegal cannabis operations.
No recommendations for this finding
F7
The current limited prosecution of illegal grows increases environmental, wildfire and other criminal risks.
No recommendations for this finding

No Responses Found 2

Government entities assigned to respond to this report. No response documents have been linked in our database.

Nevada County Board of Supervisors Elected County Office
Nevada County Sheriff Elected County Office