Socially Equitable Cannabis Program Board of Supervisors Hearing

On January 14, 2026, the Board of Supervisors provided direction on decision points for the draft Socially Equitable Cannabis Program (SECP). Details of each decision point are available in the minute order and the meeting recording is available online.

Recap of Board Direction

Decision Point #1: Land Use (Program Options)

The Board provided direction to continue to develop the draft SECP in alignment with State standards (Program Option A). This option would allow all cannabis facility types and would require a 600-foot buffer from schools, day cares, and youth centers to cannabis facilities, consistent with the January 27, 2021 Board direction and State regulations.

Decision Point #2: Regulations on Temporary Events & Consumption Lounges

The Board provided direction to retain temporary cannabis events and onsite consumption lounges in the SECP for further consideration.

Decision Point #3: Community Equity Contribution Program (CECP)

The Board provided direction to continue to develop the CECP.

Additional Direction on Background Checks

The Board provided additional direction and directed the Chief Administrative Officer to return to the Board with amendments to the Regulatory Code that rely on the State Background Check for receiving a cannabis operating certificate.

Next Steps

Staff will finalize the draft Zoning Ordinance, draft Regulatory Code, and the Final Program Environmental Impact Report (PEIR). Staff will return to the Planning Commission in spring 2026 for a formal recommendation on the Zoning Ordinance amendments and the Final PEIR. Following the Commission’s recommendation, staff will return to the Board for consideration of the entire SECP including the Zoning Ordinance and Regulatory Code amendments, the Final PEIR, any associated permitting and licensing fees, and the codification of the Social Equity Program.