Board of Supervisors approval
The Board adopted the Cannabis Program on August 19 and September 2, 2026. These actions included:
- Certification of the Final Program Environmental Impact Report (PEIR) and adoption of California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) documents
- Adoption of Ordinance 11015 (N.S.), amending the San Diego County Zoning Ordinance related to Cannabis Facilities
- Adoption of Ordinance 11020 (N.S.), amending Chapter 25 of the San Diego County of Regulatory Ordinances related to commercial cannabis licensing and operating permits
- Adoption of Ordinance 11021 (N.S.), amending Chapter 29 of the San Diego County Code of Regulatory Ordinances related to the Office of Equity and Racial Justice’s Social Equity Program
- Adoption of Board Policy B-076: Minimum Funding Requirement for Unlicensed Cannabis Enforcement.
- Adoption of amendments to the Planning & Development Services Fee Schedule.
Previous Board direction
The Cannabis Program was originally directed by the San Diego County Board of Supervisors in January 2021. Later, the Board provided additional direction which guided the development of the Cannabis Program.
Minutes of all Board directions
- January 27, 2021, Minute Order
- March 3, 2021, Minute Order
- June 9, 2021, Minute Order
- October 6, 2021, Minute Order
- October 20, 2021, Minute Order
- May 10, 2022, Minute Order
- May 24, 2022, Minute Order
- June 15, 2022, Minute Order
- June 28, 2022, Minute Order
- August 16, 2022, Minute Order
- October 26, 2022, Minute Order
- November 16, 2022, Minute Order
- December 13, 2022, Minute Order
- January 24, 2023, Minute Order
- March 14, 2023, Minute Order
- April 4, 2023, Minute Order
- January 24, 2024, Minute Order
- April 30, 2024, Minute Order
- December 10, 2024, Minute Order
- January 14, 2026, Minute Order
- August 19, 2026, Minute Order
- September 2, 2026, Minute Order
Final Program Environmental Impact Report
We prepared a Program Environmental Impact Report (PEIR), which identified and studied potential impacts to the environment from the Cannabis Program. The PEIR also evaluated ways to avoid or reduce impacts. The Board certified the Final Program Environmental Impact Report on August 19, 2026, adopted Findings of Fact and a Statement of Overriding Considerations, and adopted a Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program (MMRP). Projects must comply with the MMRP measures.
To review the Final PEIR and all associated documentation please visit the CEQA website.
Community engagement
We conducted public engagement and outreach throughout the development of the program. From 2021-2026, we held nearly 300 outreach meetings with the public, cannabis businesses and industry advocates, social equity advocates, Community Planning and Sponsor Groups, tribal governments, regulatory agencies, environmental groups, labor groups, and public health advocates. The feedback we heard during these meetings was used to create program options and develop the final draft of the program.
Visit the Socially Equitable Cannabis Program Engage Page for more information about prior engagement efforts. The Engage Page will continue to be available but will not be updated.
