“By approving the new marijuana ordinance without lawful environmental review, the county has opened its doors to a flood of marijuana cultivation and the disastrous environmental impacts that come with it,” Amy Bricker, of Shute, Mihaly & Weinberger, said in a Dec.
As part of the settlement, the county agreed to make several changes to the cannabis cultivation ordinance, which include adding an October 2024 sunset date for future grow permit applications and requiring additional well testing in the seventh year of cultivation.
The settlement requires disclosure of groundwater well reports and non-privileged pesticide management plans and pesticide-related reports upon public request.
“This settlement gives residents a clear voice in dealing with odors, groundwater depletion, pesticides, and safety concerns related to widespread marijuana growing,” said Susan Morse, one of CRACM’s co-founders, in an April 20 press release.
“Even if you don’t agree with people, there’s still certain points that they’re correct on,” he said.