(A) Pursuant to Article XI, Section 7 of the California Constitution, the county is authorized to adopt and enforce ordinances and regulations not in conflict with general laws to protect and promote the public health, safety, and welfare of its citizens, including, but not limited to, those which establish standards, requirements and regulations related to commercial and research industrial hemp activities. Any standards, requirements, and regulations established by the State of California, or any of its departments or divisions, regarding commercial and/or research industrial hemp activities shall be the minimum standards applicable within the unincorporated area of the County of San Benito.
(B) It is the further purpose and intent of this chapter to require all hemp entity owners and operators to annually register with the county.
(C) Further, it is the purpose and intent of this chapter to impose reasonable land use regulations to protect the county's residents, neighborhoods, businesses, and the environment from disproportionately negative impacts caused by commercial and/or research industrial hemp activities, and to enforce rules and regulations consistent with state and federal law.
(D) The provisions of this chapter are in addition to any other permits, licenses and approvals which may be required to conduct business in the county, and are in addition to any permits, licenses and approval required under state, county, or other law.
(Ord. 989, § 1, 2019)