‘Scary’: Critics say Humboldt initiative could wipe out cannabis farms

August 22, 2023
AggregatedNews
California
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Pot farmers in Humboldt County, one of the largest pot-growing counties in California, say they’re facing an “existential threat” to their livelihoods, but this time, it isn’t a contagious crop disease or crashing wholesale prices — it’s their own neighbors.

The local cannabis industry is on high alert after a new ballot initiative — which would limit the size of pot farms and severely restrict any modifications to existing ones — qualified for a March 2024 election. The local farmers are warning that passing the initiative would destroy the local commercial cannabis industry.

“It would be very effective at putting the final nail in the coffin and just shutting down the industry,” said Dylan Mattole, a Humboldt County cannabis farmer.

Even the county government is warning that the initiative would have dire consequences. A June report prepared by the Humboldt County Planning and Building Department said that the initiative would make it so hard for farmers to comply with the proposed restrictions that the “legal market [would be] rendered not viable in Humboldt County.”

Despite the criticisms and concerns, the initiative’s creators are not backing down. Betsy Watson, one of the measure’s creators, said the initiative will hurt big pot farms but ultimately will help small, family-owned pot farms. [Read More @ SF Gate]

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