Commission hears update: moratorium likely to be extended while county studies economic impacts of cannabis businesses

Okanogan County planning staff told the commission they expect the county will extend a moratorium on new marijuana grows while the county studies the economic impacts of existing cannabis businesses.

Staff said the county received a grant from the Economic Alliance to hire a consultant to evaluate economic impacts and to inform code changes. The planning staff said the moratorium on new grows likely will be renewed for six months pending the study.

Current compliance and enforcement: Staff said the county is tracking dozens of existing grows and that many operations remain out of compliance with county rules. At one point staff reported “I'm still sitting on 23 of the 52 that are out of compliance in the county,” and a later exchange referenced other counts; staff said they will issue letters once outside legal counsel finalizes language and that the hearings examiner may proceed with revocations if operators fail to comply in short timeframes.

Why it matters: Commissioners and members of the public raised financial and community impacts, including utility costs and unpaid bills to local PUDs and service providers. Staff said some utilities and businesses report burdens when growers order infrastructure such as transformers and do not put them into service immediately, shifting costs to other customers.

Next steps: Staff will await the consultant study before advancing long-term code changes. The planning department said it will issue compliance letters after legal review and expects a rapid turnaround for noncompliant operators once counsel’s letter is issued.