Committees and Advisory Groups

Return to Cannabis Legislation & Policy

The Cannabis Ad Hoc Committee was created by the Board of Supervisors on January 10, 2017. Current Committee appointees include Supervisors Lynda Hopkins and James Gore. The primary purpose of the Ad Hoc is to ensure the successful implementation of the Sonoma County Cannabis program that enables and incentivizes the industry to come into compliance while ensuring the interests of all residents and the environment are protected.

2017 Cannabis Ad Hoc Charter (PDF: 153 Kb)

The former Cannabis Advisory Group was established on July 18, 2017 for a two-year term to provide a diverse perspective on the impacts of cannabis and cannabis regulations and to provide information and feedback to the County for developing, amending, and funding local cannabis programs and policies.

Advisory Group Report_Economic Vitality(PDF: 190 kB)
Advisory Group Report_State Alignment(PDF: 145 kB)
Advisory Group Report_Neighborhood Compatibility(PDF: 191 kB)
Advisory Group Selection and Work Plan (PDF: 118 kB)
7/18/17 Advisory Group Overview and Member Recommendations (PDF: 176 kB)

The former Marijuana Technical Advisory Committee (MTAC) consisted of representatives from numerous County departments and agencies for the purpose of providing a diverse range of perspectives and expertise when first developing and implementing the Sonoma County Cannabis Program. 

Sonoma County is part of a six county collaboration on cannabis policy that includes Mendocino, Humboldt, Lake, Del Norte and Trinity Counties. The collaborative has focused on working together to implement local cannabis programs and ensuring that the voice of local government is heard and reflected in state law, including a particular focus on the follow topics:

1. local control
2. revenue and taxation
3. product certification
4. cannabis education and research programs, and
5. environmental protection. 

In April 2016, the California State Association of Counties honored the collaborative with a Challenge Award, which recognizes the innovative and creative spirit of California county governments. (Include policy statement and video from current website.)