REPORT/RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
OF THE COUNTY OF SAN BERNARDINO
AND RECORD OF ACTION
June 8, 2021
FROM
DAWN ROWE, Third District Supervisor, Board of Supervisors
SUBJECT
Title
Encourage Introduction of Legislation in the California State Legislature to Increase the Severity of Criminal Penalties for Illegal Cannabis Cultivation
End
RECOMMENDATION(S)
Recommendation
Adopt Resolution to strongly encourage introduction of legislation in the California State Legislature to increase the severity of criminal penalties for illegal cannabis cultivation by making this offense a felony.
(Presenter: Dawn Rowe, Third District Supervisor, 387-4855)
Body
COUNTY AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER GOALS & OBJECTIVES
Provide for the Safety, Health and Social Service Needs of County Residents.
Pursue County Goals and Objectives by Working with Other Agencies.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Approval of this item will not result in the use of Discretionary General Funding (Net County Cost).
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
In November 2016, California Voters approved Proposition 64, known as “The Adult Use of Marijuana Act,” specific sections of which reduced the penalties for cannabis-related offenses. Since the adoption of Proposition 64, illegal cannabis cultivation has increased exponentially across the county and in particular, areas in the Third Supervisorial District. Pursuant to County Ordinance, commercial cannabis cultivation is prohibited in all unincorporated areas of the county, however it is estimated that there are over 861 illegal commercial cannabis farms in San Bernardino County.
Furthermore, since the adoption of Proposition 64, the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department has experienced a 224% increase in the seizure of illegal marijuana plants, a 620% increase in confiscated firearms that were discovered while executing search warrants at illegal cannabis farms, and a 463% increase in recovered illicit cannabis concentrate products.
Section 10 of Proposition 64 specifies that amendments to provisions contained in Proposition 64 may be amended by a two-thirds vote of the California State Legislature. The proposed Resolution would strongly encourage the California State Legislature to increase the severity of criminal penalties for illegal cannabis cultivation.
PROCUREMENT
Not applicable.
REVIEW BY OTHERS
This item has been reviewed by County Counsel (Michelle Blakemore, Chief County Counsel, 387-4270) on June 8, 2021; Finance (Stephenie Shea, Administrative Analyst, 387-4919) on June 8, 2021; and County Finance and Administration (Matthew Erickson, County Chief Financial Officer, 387-5423) on June 8, 2021.