Supervisors OK Transfer of Cannabis Licensing to Planning Department

The San Diego County Board of Supervisors gave final approval Wednesday to an ordinance that transfers cannabis licensing duties from the sheriff’s department to the county’s planning department.

The board gave initial approval to the ordinance Oct. 26, and voted 3- 0 Wednesday on final approval. The ordinance will take effect in 30 days.

Along with handling enforcement, the county’s Planning and Development Services agency will conduct background checks, quarterly and periodic inspections, issue operating certificates and process license renewals and transfers.

In a recent statement, board Chairman Nathan Fletcher’s office said the change “is another step in the county’s efforts to create a safe, regulated and legal cannabis policy for the unincorporated communities.”

“Shifting to code compliance teams makes San Diego more consistent with the rest of California, and frees up our sheriff deputies to spend their time protecting our community and cracking down on illegal cannabis operations,” Fletcher added.

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