Adoption of the Socially Equitable Cannabis Program - Board of Supervisors Hearings Recap

On August 19 and September 2, 2026, the County of San Diego Board of Supervisors took action to adopt the Socially Equitable Cannabis Program (SECP), which allows the permitting and licensing of new cannabis facilities with a 600-ft buffer from schools, day cares, and youth centers.

Specifically, on August 19, 2026, the Board:

1. Adopted the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Findings of Fact, the Statement of Overriding Considerations, and the Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program, as well as certified the Final Program Environmental Impact Report.

2. Adopted the amendments to the Zoning Ordinance.

3. Adopted Board Policy B-076: Minimum Funding Requirement for Unlicensed Cannabis Enforcement.

On September 2, 2026, the Board:

1. Adopted the amendments to the Regulatory Code related to commercial cannabis licensing and operating permits.

2. Adopted the amendments to the Regulatory Code related to the Social Equity Program.

3. Adopted the amendments to the Planning & Development Services Fee Schedule.

These actions by the Board represent the formal adoption of the Cannabis Program. The Program will go live this fall for qualified Social Equity applicants. Applications will open to the general public 3 years after.

Missed the meetings? The minute orders (August 19 and September 2) and meeting recordings (August 19 and September 2) are available online.

Staff Contact

More information regarding the project can be found on the Project Website.

If you have any questions about the Zoning Ordinance or Program Environmental Impact Report, please contact Dara Elkurdi in your preferred language at PDS.LongRangePlanning@sdcounty.ca.gov or by phone at (858) 505-6677. For Cannabis Licensing questions, please contact cannabis.licensing@sdcounty.ca.gov. For questions about the Social Equity Program, please contact Brandon Lewis at oerj@sdcounty.ca.gov.