Weed Farmers in Santa Barbara County, California, Are Supposed To Lose Acreage Due to the Changing Rules

The certificated marijuana cultivators in the province of Santa Barbara are supposed to lose their secured acreage if they do not grow the total quantity they have applied in the 3rd renewal of the license.

After making various modifications, the Board of Supervisors approved the corresponding changes which were proposed by the staff. The new ordinance amendment will be finally discussed on November 29. If it is confirmed, it will come into effect just 30 days later.

This will state certain rules for marijuana cultivators. According to it, they will have 3 years for phasing in the whole acreage of their owned land. If they fail the process before the 3rd renewal of their license, the remaining acreage on which they have not cultivated weed will go to the acreage cap. After that, it will be given to another marijuana grower registered on the waiting list. Currently, there are approximately 6 operators who are waiting for 220 acres. Moreover, the State of California has just issued about 40 certificates to Santa Barbara province operators. The latter grow from 400 to 500 acres together.

As a beneficial point for some weed growers who complained about the changes, the ordinance amendment permits them to not cultivate for about 8 months. This change was taken from the staff recommendations which offered to set 4 months for this purpose. The whole change is meant to regulate the operations which have only 1 harvest per year. Besides, this will give them permission to fallow the land every 3 years.