Nevada County Delays Cannabis Dispensary Selection to October

Nevada County’s Board of Supervisors, in its July 14 meeting, postponed cannabis dispensary selection criteria until October 14, leaving nearly 200 small businesses across Grass Valley, Nevada City, Truckee, and unincorporated Nevada County areas in continued uncertainty over the county’s licensing process.

The delay came despite the dispensary selection committee having met multiple times and being prepared to present recommended criteria, according to Diana Gamzon, Executive Director of the Nevada County Cannabis Alliance.

The county unanimously pursued a state Cannabis Retail Access grant three years ago specifically to bring licensed dispensaries to unincorporated areas of Nevada County — rural communities like Penn Valley, Chicago Park, and North San Juan that have had no legal retail access. Three years later, selection criteria still haven’t been presented to the board.

The item returns October 14, meanwhile…

Nevada County Sheriff Awarded $4.5M to Expand Cannabis Police Activity

The Nevada County Sheriff’s Office was awarded a $4.5 million state grant to build out an enforcement team to seek out “illegal” cannabis grows. The grant funds four new positions, three enforcement vehicles, and specialized investigative and digital forensic tools to strengthen Nevada County’s illegal cannabis enforcement and youth prevention efforts.

The state grant comes through Cohort 4 of California’s Proposition 64 Public Health and Safety Grant Program and will operate in partnership with the county’s Community Development Agency. It follows a joint NCSO-CDFW operation in July that eradicated nearly 15,000 illegal cannabis plants across four search warrants in Grass Valley and Nevada City.

Reports surfaced on social media on July 21 that 14 Homeland Security ICE agents checked into a local Grass Valley hotel. Reports indicate that a raid is imminent. No indications from the federal government show any planned raids. Additional search warrants for cannabis are expected throughout the season, according to the Sheriff’s media release.

The Nevada County Cannabis Alliance is marking its 10th anniversary with a free party on August 18 at Golden Era in Nevada City, featuring DJ Redlocks and hors d’oeuvres. The alliance, which has advocated for cannabis businesses throughout the county’s years-long licensing process, asks attendees to RSVP in advance.

Where to contact your local government:

📞 (530) 265-1480 | 950 Maidu Ave., Nevada City, CA 95959

🌐 nevadacountyca.gov/731/Board-of-Supervisors

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