Shasta County Cannabis Overview

Is Cannabis Cultivation Legal in Shasta County?

No. Per Section 17.88.325 of the Shasta County Code, commercial cannabis activity is prohibited in all zones of the unincorporated areas of the county. Hence, the county issues no permit or approval for any cannabis cultivation conducted within its borders. The prohibition of cannabis cultivation applies to commercial cannabis activity for medical and non-medical purposes.

Pursuant to Section 17.88.320 of the Shasta County Code, cultivation of cannabis within a residence or any structure used or intended for human dwelling is prohibited. Outdoor cultivation on any premises is also illegal. Also, cannabis cultivation in the county may only occur within a detached residential accessory structure affixed to the real property. The detached structure is required to comply with the following:

• Meet the definition of "greenhouse" or "indoor" under the county code
• Be located on the same premises as the residence of a qualified patient or primary caregiver
• Comply with all the provisions of the county code pertaining to accessory structures, such as the general development standards outlined in Chapter 17.84 and Section 17.88.140 of the county code.
• Cultivating more than 12 marijuana plants on any premises is prohibited in the county.
• Cultivation of marijuana must also be at least 1,000 feet away from a school, school bus stop, school evacuations site, child care center, public park, public library, church, or youth-oriented facility.

Per Shasta County Code, any cultivation of marijuana plants, outdoors, indoors, greenhouses, or combined, on any premises or parcel, not conforming with the provisions of Section 17.88.320 of the county code will be considered a public nuisance. Such cultivations may be abated according to Chapter 8.28 and Section 17.94.060 of the county code or any other means defined by law. Note that the provisions of Chapter 17.90 (nonconforming use) of the county code do not apply to the cultivation of marijuana plants deemed a public nuisance.

Is Cannabis Manufacturing Legal in Shasta County?

No. In accordance with Section 17.88.325 of the Shasta County Code, it is illegal to conduct cannabis manufacturing activities within the county's unincorporated areas. Although Proposition 64, approved by California voters, legalized the manufacture of cannabis and cannabis products for recreational use, the same law grants cities and counties the right to adopt contrasting cannabis statutes. Through its local ordinance, Shasta Lake City legalizes cannabis manufacturing activities within its jurisdiction, while Redding City does the same with its adoption of Ordinance No. 2584.

Is Cannabis Retail Legal in Shasta County?

Per Section 17.88.310 of the Shasta County Code, the county prohibits medical marijuana dispensaries from operating within its unincorporated areas. Still, Redding City and Shasta Lake City in Shasta County permit marijuana retail within their jurisdictions pursuant to compliance with the relevant local ordinances.

Is Cannabis Delivery Legal in Shasta County?

Per Section 17.88.315 of the Shasta County Code, Shasta County prohibits the delivery of cannabis to a consumer in the county's unincorporated area and issues no permit or approval of any type to such businesses. Shasta County applies this prohibition regardless of whether the delivery is for nonmedical or medical purposes. However, with Proposition 64 permitting cities to enact different rules with respect to cannabis activities, the City of Shasta Lake and the City of Redding have enacted ordinances allowing cannabis delivery activities within their jurisdictions.

The provisions of Section 17.88.315 may not be construed to prohibit the transfer of medicinal cannabis by primary caregivers to their qualified patients for compensation in accordance with Section 11362.765(c) of the California Health and Safety Code, provided:

• The transfer of medicinal cannabis or its products are authorized under Section 17.88.310 of the Shasta County Code; and
• The qualified patients and the primary caregivers are exempt from licensure requirements of Division 10 of the Business and Professions Code.

How to Get Medical Marijuana Card in Shasta County

The Medical Marijuana Identification Card (MMIC) is made available to Shasta County residents with physicians' recommendations for the use of marijuana for one or more approved medical conditions. Such persons also can designate primary caregivers and apply for and obtain caregiver identification cards.

An MMIC applicant is required to schedule an appointment with the Shasta County Health and Human Services Agency in order to complete the application process. You can schedule an appointment with the Agency by calling at (530) 225-3689. The applicant is required to be present at the time of application. If a primary caregiver card is needed, the primary caregiver must also be present. For applicants under 18, who are not emancipated minors, their parents or legal guardians must be present at the scheduled appointments. When applicants cannot make their own medical decisions, the representative with legal authority applying on behalf of the applicants must be present.

MMIC applicants must provide the following to the County Health and Human Service Agency for their applications to be processed:

• Completed Application DHS 9042 Form
• Written recommendation of Patient's Medical Records CDPH 9044 form, completed by applicant's physician or physician's staff. The physician may also opt to use letterhead for the recommendation instead of the CDPH 9044 form. Note that this recommendation will be verified by the Shasta County Health and Human Services Agency.
• Government-issued photo identification, such as military ID, photo ID card, or driver's license. If the applicant is under 18 and cannot provide photo identification, a certified copy of birth certificate may be used. If the applicant designates a primary caregiver, the primary caregiver must provide a government-issued photo ID. Primary caregivers may only use certified birth certificates if they are under 18 and serve as primary caregivers for their own children.
• Proof of Shasta County residence with a clearly stated Shasta County address. The following proofs are accepted:
• A current DMV registration in the name of the applicant
• A recent rent or mortgage receipt or current utility bill in the name of the applicant
• A California driver's license or ID card issued by the Department of Motor Vehicle. If the address listed is not current, the applicant may submit a DMV-issued Change of Address Certification Card (DL 43) detailing the applicant's current address.

Applicants under 18 who cannot provide proof of Shasta County residency must provide evidence belonging to their parents or legal guardians.

• Proof of emancipation, if applicable.
• Proof of legal authority if the applicant cannot make medical decisions personally and has representation.
• The application fee. There is a nonrefundable $100 fee for each MMIC requested. Medi-Cal beneficiaries who apply for MMICs get 50% discounts; hence, they will only pay $50 per MMIC requested. CMSP beneficiaries will not be charged for MMIC requests. However, if applicable, applicants must bring their Medi-Cal or CMSP cards with them. Note that fees must be paid at the time of application submission and must be paid in cash. Applicants must pay fees in the exact amount. Personal checks are not accepted.

When an application is declined, applicants will be informed via mail. If an application is unsuccessful, the applicant is prohibited from reapplying for six months from the date of rejection. From the date of refusal, the applicant has 30 days to submit an appeal with the California Department of Health Services. The applicant may pick up an appeal application in person at the Shasta County Health and Human Services Agency.

Applicants will get their identity cards within 30 days of their application being accepted. The applicant may pick up their identification cards in person or have the MMICs sent to them if they so want. All MMICs are valid for one year from the date of approval of the application. After the MMIC expires, the applicant may request a new card.

For more information on obtaining an MMIC in Shasta County, contact:

Shasta County Health and Human Services Agency

2615 Breslauer Way (Cottage 5)

Redding, CA 96001

Phone: (530) 225-3689

How Has Cannabis Legalization Impacted the Economy of Shasta County?

Records for marijuana sales for each county in California, including Shasta County, are available on the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration (CDTFA) website. From these records, it is evident that the cannabis industry in the county has contributed substantially to the economy of Shasta County.

In 2018, Shasta County recorded $19.75 in per capita sales and $3,521,717 in total taxable sales in the second quarter, and $19.55 in per capita sales, and $3,46,782 in total taxable sales in the third quarter. In the last quarter of 2018, the county made $21.87 in per capita sales and $3,899,531 in total taxable sales. In total, Shasta County recorded $61.17 in per capita sales and $10,908,030 in taxable sales in 2018.

In 2019, Shasta County generated $26,820,213 in total taxable sales. In 2020, the figure was even higher, with a total of $45,648,012 in taxable sales. In 2021, Shasta County generated a total of $230.95 in per capita sales and $41,064,055 in taxable sales between the first and third quarters.

The Effects of Cannabis Legalization on Crime Rates in Shasta County

Marijuana-related crime rates in Shasta County have steadily declined since the legalization of cannabis in California. According to FBI crime data generated through the Uniform Crime Reporting Program and obtained from incidents reported to the Shasta County Sheriff's Office, there were a total of 3 DUI arrests, one marijuana possession arrest, and no marijuana sale arrest in the county in 2018.

In 2019, there were 3 DUI arrests, 3 arrests for marijuana possession, and only one arrest for marijuana sale. In 2020, Shasta County recorded 1 DUI arrest, 4 arrests for marijuana possession, and 4 marijuana sales arrests. Arrests figures in Shasta County for marijuana possession were 10, 17, and 18 in 2017, 2016, and 2015. In 2015, 22 arrests were made for marijuana sales.