Industrial hemp production in SLO County could face restrictions under temporary moratorium

San Luis Obispo County Supervisors could restrict industrial hemp production in unincorporated ares of the county this week. An urgency moratorium brings up concerns about the plant’s smell, public safety, among other things.

The plant looks and smells like marijuana, but it has no psychoactive effects.

“CBD hemp is not cannabis, and that’s one of the big confusion people have,” hemp farmer Frank Brown says.

The cannabis strain contains 0.3 percent THC or less.

Brown says he grows hemp for its CBD content, which he extracts for medicinal purposes. The farmer says his business, California Bio-Ag Diversified, is playing by the rules.

“We’re registered with the county Agriculture Commissioner’s Office, we’ve paid our $900 fee, and we abide by all the rules and regulations,” he says.

Brown says his industry is now under attack. San Luis Obispo County supervisors will be discussing a moratorium on the topic on Tuesday.

“This proposed urgency moratorium only benefits the powerful cannabis industry in our county. Our supervisors are hitting the panic button rather than studying issues and concerns of the citizens.”

Some concerns about hemp farming is the smell. Reporter Nathalie Vera toured Brown’s 12-acre farm and said she did not pick up on any strong odors. However, some say the odor depends on the plant’s maturity.

“It has the potential of having a stronger odor than many crops,” District 5 Supervisor Debbie Arnold says.

“It does have a mild odor but nothing like some of the skunk weeds that people are used to smelling in the cannabis world,” Brown says.

Arnold adds there are concerns about illegal pot farming under the guise of hemp.

“It will require testing because to the naked eye, it’s difficult to differentiate between cannabis and hemp,” Arnold said.

Other issues include how this plant could affect the marijuana industry.

“We actually hear from hemp growers and cannabis growers. There is an issue trying to grow both of those crops close to each other, that they cross pollinate.”

If the ordinance is approved on Tuesday, it would be in effect for 45 days, but it could be extended for two years.

“It’s really designed to allow kind of a time out so that the county can take a look at what cultivating hemp entails,” Arnold said.

Brown believes this would hurt jobs, revenue, and the agriculture industry in San Luis Obispo County.

“This year, I think that the county is going to grow approximately $50 million worth of industrial hemp,” Brown said.

The measure will need 4 out of 5 votes to pass.

The hearing begins at 9 a.m at the Board of Supervisors Chamber at the San Luis Obispo Government Center.