Socially Equitable Cannabis Program

SCH# 2023090330

The County is developing a Socially Equitable Cannabis Program (Cannabis Program) as directed by the Board of Supervisors on January 27, 2021. The proposed Cannabis Program will apply to the unincorporated areas of the County. The Cannabis Program will allow for and establish a permitting and licensing system for new commercial cannabis activities, including retail, cultivation, manufacturing, distribution, testing, microbusinesses, and temporary events. Furthermore, the Cannabis Program will contain and be informed by a Social Equity Program which will provide greater opportunities for individuals negatively or disproportionately impacted by cannabis criminalization and the War on Drugs. Adoption of the Cannabis Program will require amendments to the San Diego County Code of Regulatory Ordinances and the San Diego County Zoning Ordinance to establish licensing and operational regulations for a range of cannabis cultivation and non-cultivation uses authorized under state law. 

Circulation of the Draft PEIR

The County of San Diego Planning & Development Services (PDS), as Lead Agency, is circulating for public review a Draft Program Environmental Impact Report (PEIR) (State Clearinghouse No. 2023090330) for the Socially Equitable Cannabis Program, in accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). PDS is seeking public and agency input on the Draft PEIR and related amendments to the San Diego County Code of Regulatory Ordinances and the San Diego County Zoning Ordinance.

Printed copies of the Draft PEIR and appendices can be reviewed at the PDS Project Processing Counter (5510 Overland Avenue, Suite 110, San Diego, CA 92123) and at the following library branches (visit http://www.sdcl.org/locations for locations and hours):

• Alpine, 1752 Alpine Boulevard, Alpine, CA 91901

• Bonita-Sunnyside, 4375 Bonita Road, Bonita CA 91902

• Borrego Springs, 2580 Country Club Road, Borrego Springs, CA 92004

• Campo-Morena Village, 31356 Highway 94, Campo, CA 91906

• Fallbrook, 124 South Mission Road, Fallbrook, CA 92028

• Julian, 1850 Highway 78, Julian, CA 92036, (760) 765-0370

• Lakeside, 12428 Woodside Avenue, Lakeside, CA 92040

• Ramona, 1275 Main Street, Ramona, CA 92065

• Rancho San Diego, 11555 Via Rancho San Diego, El Cajon, CA 92019

• Rancho Santa Fe, 17040 Avenida de Acacias, Rancho Santa Fe, CA 92067

• Spring Valley, 836 Kempton Street, Spring Valley, CA 91977

• Valley Center, 29200 Cole Grade Road, Valley Center, CA 92082

Comments on the Draft PEIR must be received no later than March 31, 2025, at 4:00 p.m. (a 60-day public review period). Staff will be hosting public meetings to solicit comments on the Draft PEIR. Comments on the draft PEIR should be submitted to: Jessica Norton, Project Manager and should reference the project name. Comments may be submitted via an online form at https://engage.sandiegocounty.gov/cannabis-program-eir, via e-mail to PDS.LongRangePlanning@sdcounty.ca.gov, or via mail to 5510 Overland Avenue, Suite 210, San Diego CA, 92123.

Public Meetings

The County is hosting three virtual public meetings to receive comments on: 

• Wednesday, February 5, 2025, at 6:00 p.m.
• Thursday, February 6, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. 
• Wednesday February 12, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. 

The meetings may be accessed at this website link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84368497586?pwd=RVAZurGJyguieIv4Mo2IkuqgRq1zob.1  

The County is also hosting two in-person open houses at the following locations:

• Tuesday, February 25, 2025, at 5:30-7:30 p.m., Lakeside County Library, 12428 Woodside Avenue, Lakeside, CA, 92040
• Wednesday, February 26, 2025, at 5:30-7:30 p.m., Valley Center County Library, 29200 Cole Grade Road, Valley Center, CA, 92082

Please direct any questions or formal comments to the project contacts below.

Project Contact: Jessica Norton | PDS.LongRangePlanning@sdcounty.ca.gov | (858) 505-6677

Notice of Preparation

On September 15, 2023, the County sent public notice that an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) would be prepared for the Socially Equitable Cannabis Program. The County sought input from the public and agencies on potential environmental impacts of the proposed Cannabis Program, ways to mitigate those impacts, and alternatives that may lessen those impacts. 

Notice of Preparation of an Environmental Impact Report

Notice of Preparation Legal Ad

Notice of Preparation Mailed Legal Ad with Translations

Project Public Scoping Meetings

Consistent with Section 21083.9 of the CEQA Statues, two online/phone-in public scoping meetings were held to solicit comments regarding the scope and analysis of the EIR. 

Presentation Slides