Cannabis Ordinance Presentation

Bennett Valley Town Hall, October 8

A large group turned out at the Grange Hall on October 8 to hear about two issues: proposed revisions to the Sonoma County Cannabis Ordinance, and Measure J, the so-called ‘factory farms’ measure on the Nov. 5 ballot. The presentations can be streamed here: https://www.youtube.com/@bvca

Craig S. Harrison, past president of the BVCA, discussed cannabis issues with a well-researched presentation on the perils and intricacies of large-scale outdoor marijuana operations in the county, focusing on Bennett Valley.

The Bennett Valley Area Plan clearly prohibits these kinds of commercial operations in Bennett Valley, yet the county ignores the residents’ demands to ban these activities. The draft environmental impact report that analyzes the revised ordinance will be released for review in early 2025. Craig’s talk describes the laxity of the ordinance, the severe impacts on our environment, and pitfalls that we may be facing if it is adopted as proposed.

Topics discussed in this presentation include:

·       The Revised Cannabis Ordinance is a Disaster

·       Outdoor Cultivation is Not Economically Viable

·       Outdoor Cultivation Causes Environmental Damage

·       Outdoor Cultivation Spews Beta-Myrcene, a Carcinogen, into Neighboring Homes

·       Huge Marijuana Plantations Might Be in the Future of Bennett Valley

·       Outdoor Odors Can Be Controlled Only by Distance

·       Once Permitted Marijuana Cultivation Can Continue Forever

·       The County Refuses to Propose Any Exclusion Zones

·       Water Issues and Our Fragile Riparian Habitats

·       Cannabis Event Centers and Impaired Driving

·       Industrial Manufacturing

·       Retail Sales at Rural Cultivation Sites and Crime

·       Hoop Houses and Visual Blight

·       How we can help

For the first time in its 151-year history, this Grange Town Hall was recorded and posted as a YouTube video! Again, here is the link for the video:  https://www.youtube.com/@bvca

Also included in the video is the Measure J discussion presented by Farm Bureau Director, Dayna Ghirardelli.

The Bennett Valley Community Association has instigated a Conservancy Fund chaired by Craig, which is actively seeking donations to oppose large scale outdoor marijuana grows in our area.  Please donate here: BVCA Conservancy Fund