SALINAS >> The Monterey County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to update the language and goals in the Cannabis Strategic Plan in a meeting earlier this week.

The updated goals include overarching missions like protecting public safety and the environment as the industry expands and generates enough revenue to continue a self-sustaining program.

Goal A is to foster a resilient and innovative industry that creates sustainable economic growth. It includes reviewing the cannabis ordinance to ensure it’s consistent with the current Department of Cannabis Control regulations.

One of the county’s priorities will be helping move growers from provisional to annual cannabis permits. The Department of Cannabis Control stopped providing provisional licenses Jan. 1. The annual license doesn’t change the taxes, but the state will require businesses to have both a state and county annual license to continue operating.

“We have 13 businesses that are still working toward an annual business license,” said Michelle House, the county cannabis program manager. “There was a point in the early days where the state would issue provisional licenses in conjunction with the county which gave people time to get things like land use together and all their permitting with fire, planning and environmental health.”

Goal B is to protect public safety, health and the environment as the industry expands. It includes hosting cannabis safety sub-committee meetings, establishing clear guidelines for environmental standards like waste and water and collaborating with county departments at least once annually.

House said in addition to enforcing cannabis laws, there will be quarterly inspections.

The initial Cannabis Plan was adopted in 2018, with goals to fund the county’s own staffing and not pull from any other department funds. However, the county’s industry hasn’t seen the cash flow it did during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Cannabis business tax revenue for Monterey County was $20.1 million in fiscal year 2020-2021, a peak for the county, but plummeted to just $9 million in fiscal year 2021-2022 and even further to $3.5 million in 2022-2023.

Newly-elected Supervisor Kate Daniels, representing Carmel, Big Sur, Pacific Grove and Pebble Beach, and several public commenters in Tuesday’s meeting asked if outdoor grows in Big Sur would be added to the county’s strategic plan, as most grows are greenhouse.

“I’m wondering if there’s an opportunity to address whether the pilot program has failed for any reason,” Daniels said. “I know it’s been hard for those trying to make it work, but we should recognize the unique history of our region. For decades, multigenerational farmers have brought something special to the table, and if we want long-term sustainability, this could set us apart. We should ensure that this legacy isn’t lost in our vision and future planning.”

However, Supervisor Chris Lopez from District 3, representing East Salinas, Greenfield, King City and Soledad, contended that while many outdoor growers have shown interest in getting into the legal market, they struggle to meet the costs required, including fees for regulation, monitoring and permitting.

“We want to see an industry survive here and bring economic opportunity, but we have to allow growers to weather downturns. The challenge is balancing the cost of regulation with market realities, especially when some believe these costs should be subsidized. It’s a tough conversation, but our goal should be creating a sustainable market that supports long-term opportunities.”