Cannabis Timeline
Nevada County's history with medical cannabis starts in 1996 with the passage of the Compassionate Use Act for medical cannabis. Most recently, in the 2016 November election, Propsition 64 was passed in California allowing indoor grow for non-medical cannabis. Use this timeline (PDF) for a quick history of the cannabis regulations to date.
Scroll right for history of cannabis in the County
1996
November
California voters pass Compassionate Use Act (Prop 215).
2011
November
County starts to develop a draft medical cannabis ordinance receiving input from cultivators and concerned community members.
2012
May
County passes Medical Marijuana Cultivation Ordinance 2349.
2014
November
Americans for Safe Access gets Measure S on the ballot. Measure A would increase grow sizes and decrease setbacks across all parcel sizes. 66% of voters vote against Measure S and it fails.
2016
January
With uncertainty surrounding AB 21 and concern about illegal cannabis grows, the County Board of Supervisors pass Urgency Ordinance 2405.
2016
June
59% of voters vote against Measure W and it fails. The Board of Supervisors agree to remove the outdoor ban. A subcommittee consisting of growers, County staff and two members of the Board begin meeting to come up with new regulations.
2016
July
The Board of Supervisors pass Urgency Ordinance 2416, immediately lifting the outdoor ban and putting new regulations on outdoor grow sizes based on parcel acreage.
2016
November
Proposition 64 is passed in California allowing regulated indoor non-medical grow.
2017
January
Nevada County's ordinance is amended to be in compliance with Proposition 64.
2017
May
Nevada County's Community Advisory Group (CAG) has it's first meeting to advise a new cannabis ordinance.
2017
December
The CAG has it's last meeting and approves their draft recommendations for Nevada County's permanent cannabis ordinance.
2018
January
The Board formally dissolves the CAG, acknowledging their important role in Nevada County's cannabis process.
2018
May
The Board approves a draft ordinance for long-term cannabis cultivation regulations.
2018
June
The Board approves a contract with Kimley-Horn and Assoc. for the preparation of an EIR for the proposed cannabis ordinance.
2018
July
The Board votes to place a measure on the ballot to establish a cannabis business license tax in the unincorporated area of Nevada County.
2018
November
Cannabis business license tax measure approved by voters in the general election.
2019
January
Nevada County Commercial Cannabis Draft EIR prepared.
2019
March
The County launches the pre-application process for commercial cannabis Administrative Development Permits (ADP's) and Commercial Cannabis Permits (CCP's).
2019
April
Nevada County Planning Commission holds a public hearing to discuss the final Environmental Impact Report (EIR) and proposed Ordinance for the Nevada County Commercial Cannabis Cultivation Ordinance.
2019
May
The Board holds a special meeting with public hearings on the County's Commercial Cannabis Cultivation Ordinance and passes a resolution certifying the Final Environmental Impact Report (EIR). A few weeks later, the Board adopts the final cannabis EIR and approves a resolution to adopt an Urgency Ordinanace for Commercial Cannabis Cultivation in Nevada County.
2019
June
Nevada County Cannabis Compliance permits the first Commercial Medical Cannabis Cultivation sire in Nevada County.