The Humboldt County Board of Supervisors voted 4–1 on Dec. 9 to begin suspending and later revoking cannabis permits for growers who have not engaged with the county’s payment process for overdue Measure S (cannabis excise) taxes, while offering a four‑year repayment pathway for those who do.

John Ford, director of the Planning and Building Department, told the board the county tracks about 1,006 total permits and that roughly 815 permit-holders currently owe Measure S taxes in some status, including active permits, interim permits and revoked/suspended permits. Ford said the department planned to issue 518 suspension notices in early January and to move groups of revocation items to the board beginning in February if recipients do not engage.

“Every number up there represents a person,” Ford said, urging the board that staff could “slow the roll” on enforcement if the board preferred more outreach.

Supervisors and members of the public debated alternatives for several hours. Supervisor Bone argued for helping longstanding, compliant growers stay in business and proposed a four‑year repayment schedule with an option for earlier, larger payments. "We're gonna drive everybody back underground if we suspend these licenses," Bone said, stressing the economic and community consequences of mass revocations.

Several supervisors said the county should prioritize bright‑line enforcement for permit-holders who made no attempt to enter payment arrangements while offering more flexibility to those who had engaged. "I would go after those first," said Supervisor Madrone, urging suspension and revocation for unresponsive accounts while allowing payment-plan participants to continue selling product.

Dozens of growers and industry representatives urged leniency. Ross Gordon of the Humboldt County Growers Alliance told the board that about $58 million has been paid historically and that the remaining past‑due balance—he estimated at roughly $8 million—is concentrated among growers struggling with steep market declines. Multiple callers asked the board to defer punitive action long enough for farmers to generate sales revenue and seek financing.

The motion approved by the board directs staff to begin revocation proceedings for permit-holders who have not entered a payment plan by Dec. 31, 2025. For those who have entered payment plans, the county will allow four equal annual payments equal to 25% of the total outstanding tax obligation beginning in 2026; failure to make an annual payment will trigger suspension/revocation procedures. The motion was made by Supervisor Bone and seconded by Supervisor Bushnell.

The vote was recorded as 4–1, with Supervisor Madrone casting the lone no vote, citing concerns that a four‑year schedule was too long. Chair Wilson, Supervisors Bone, Arroyo and Bushnell voted yes.

The board directed staff to coordinate with the Treasurer/Tax Collector to operationalize the payment schedules and to return with implementation details and any necessary clarifications on the base amount used for the four equal payments. Ford told the board staff could work with the Treasurer to identify those who have already paid portions of their balances so the annual figures reflect remaining amounts.

Next steps: suspension notices will be mailed in January to accounts that remain out of compliance; revocation packets will be prepared in batches for future board consideration if permit-holders do not enter required payment agreements.