Commission approves J Grade Organics cannabis permit after staff finds impacts mitigable

On Jan. 26 the Lake County Planning Commission adopted the mitigated negative declaration (IS20-38) and granted a Major Use Permit (UP20-32) to J Grade Organics (applicant Anthony Herrera) for commercial cannabis cultivation at 22052 and 22066 Jerusalem Grade Road outside Middletown.

Staff reported the project proposes 50,972 square feet of canopy (72,310 square feet of fenced cultivation area) across multiple parcels totaling about 36.7 acres; the site contains an existing processing building, residence and water storage. Staff said the project had an early activation permit, provided engineered plans and that identified impacts across categories including hydrology, air quality, biological resources, noise and wildfire could be mitigated in the proposed conditions.

Commissioners asked technical questions about acreage and license-size rules; staff confirmed the combination of one Type 3 (requires 20 acres) and three Type 1C licenses (each requires 5 acres) met the acreage threshold for the applied license mix. Public commenters who supported the project noted the applicant had operated without issues under early activation and urged approval.

After deliberation, a motion to adopt IS20-38 and approve UP20-32 was seconded and passed by voice vote. Staff reminded applicants that the zoning ordinance provides a seven-calendar-day appeal period to the Board of Supervisors.