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research indicates cannabis has been in use at least since the 5th century bc. Consumer acceptance and demand has been long established. One in four residents in Sonoma County consume cannabis. We locally produce hundreds of millions of dollars in cannabis products every year. That in turn creates thousands of jobs and contributes millions to tax revenue. From National Geographic, June 2019: The earliest direct
evidence for human consumption of cannabis as a drug has been discovered in a 2,500-year-old cemetery in Central Asia...the wide diversity in cannabis around the world today is a testament to how long people have been involved with the plant and harnessed its many uses. “It’s a real indication of how long humans have been manipulating cannabis,” notes Mark Merlin, ethnobotanist and cannabis historian, University of Hawaii at Manoa.
economic magic from a magical plant
Sonoma County is the gateway to the Emerald Triangle, a place of beautiful rolling hills, and world class craft cannabis! Industry operators in Sonoma County are rallying together to promote pro-cannabis, pro-business policies that will keep locally grown craft cannabis at the forefront. We chose to grow cannabis because we love this magical plant that brings both joy and medicinal benefits to others and allows us to promote regenerative farming practices. ALEXA RAE WALL, CEO LUMA CALIFORNIA (CULTIVATION SERVICES)
AS OF MARCH 2021 IN SONOMA COUNTY
144
LICENSED CULTIVATORS
$250 million
ESTIMATED ANNUAL REVENUE
I was diagnosed with brain cancer over 7 years ago and cannabis saved my life. After surgery, I learned that I had pilocytic astrocytoma behind my left eye. Part of the tumor was removed and I felt helpless, fearing death more than ever, and I wanted to live! I learned a lot about cannabis and refused chemotherapy and radiation. Since incorporating it into my daily regime, I wake up wanting to live each day to the fullest and have a much greater sense of well-being. My journey has empowered me to work in this industry and I’m inspired to share my story to give others hope. FELICIA ACCOMAZZO, OPERATIONS DIRECTOR, MERCY WELLNESS
There are currently 144 cannabis cultivation licenses in Sonoma County representing indoor, outdoor and greenhouse. If they all used the maximum square footage permitted, it would total 44 acres, representing $250 million of annual cannabis production.
Average per acre production for CANNABIS: $5.7 million | Cultivation tax on total production: $4.1 million
WINE GRAPES IN COMPARISON The largest economic powerhouse before cannabis has been wine grapes. These two crops are used as a standard of comparison in both ag and adult
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F RO consumption markets. Agricultural economics drives available land use for us all. Vineyards consume roughly 60,000 acres in Sonoma County, representing $650 million in 2019 production. Average per acre production for WINE GRAPES: $11,000 | Cultivation tax on total production: $0
S A M
NUMBERS
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40
NUMBER OF SONOMA COUNTY LICENSED MANUFACTURERS
ASHLEY NELSON, CEO, THE ESOURCERY (EXTRACTION SERVICES)
MPLE MATH
BIG PACT
Being a cannabis operator in Sonoma County carries the same benefit as doing any other business in Sonoma County. This region is jam-packed with community minded, environmentally focused people, and we love being able to work in conjunction with folks who really understand that we only succeed when we all work together.
2
NUMBER OF LOCAL FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS OFFERING BANKING SERVICES TO CANNABIS BUSINESSES
S MAL L SP
From a regulatory side, it’s a heavy burden. But the people I work with —who are very professional and business-driven—are grateful to move away from a cash-intensive process and to be able to utilize legitimate banking to write checks and pay their taxes through ACH.
Mercy Wellness appreciates all the support we’ve received from locals. Prior to the pandemic, our customers hailed from 5,100 zip codes in the U.S. outside of the North Bay, which disappeared immediately. However, locals quickly stepped up and filled the gap by referring friends and family. If residents buy from a locally-owned retailer who sells local products and banks locally, then 31% more of every purchase stays locally longer.
PAT DUNCAN, VP OF COMPLIANCE, COMMUNITY FIRST CREDIT UNION (BANKING SERVICES)
TERRY GARRETT, MERCY WELLNESS, COTATI AND SANTA ROSA
AC E
S FROM A CONSUMER POV
MAKING ROOM FOR CANNABIS
of cannabis flower can be by several people for $10. A e of wine can produce similar cial effects. The difference is es around 850 grapes, or 1,000 vily processed, to produce wine. The cannabis flower is oll with minimal processing.
Cannabis is 520 times more economically productive than wine grapes and yet allocating acreage for it has run into political obstacles. Dated scare tactics conflate the number of acres “available” for cannabis farming with an assertion that farmers will use all the acreage available.
Here’s why that doesn’t add up: If farmers used the 65,000 acres zoned for cannabis, it would produce $342 billion in crops, exceeding four times the global demand for cannabis. Realistically, cannabis farmers need only to have enough acres in production to meet local market
demand for Sonoma County in order to be a leading supplier in California today. In the near term of a few years, less than 1,000 acres will be needed for cannabis. That is 23 times more acreage than is in use today, and less than 2% of current wine grape acreage.
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Sonoma County GO LOCAL is a community marketing alliance of businesses and organizations whose mission is to strengthen our local economy by helping move more market share to “the locals.” If you’re a resident, use GO LOCAL resources to support all things local! If you’re a business or organization become a member and be part of the solution — visit golocal.coop.
The Benefit to Sonoma County Buying from Locally-owned Retailers: 31% MORE RETURN TO LOCALS Mercy Wellness supports two retail locations in Sonoma County (Cotati and Santa Rosa), and has part ownership in Doobie Nights (Santa Rosa). From day one, Mercy committed to purchasing from local suppliers. Mercy also paid cash on delivery at fair prices to help those suppliers gain a foothold in the market and grow. Locally owned retail is crucial to increasing the local economic impact. Grow it locally, process and manufacture locally, use a local distributor and sell through a local retailer. Then round out the benefits by putting the money in a local bank.
AS OF MARCH 2021 IN SONOMA COUNTY
20
LICENSED RETAILERS
6
MICROBUSINESS LICENSES
$65 million
ESTIMATED ANNUAL REVENUE (LEGAL)
$100 million
ESTIMATED ANNUAL REVENUE (ILLEGAL)
the last word Economics aside, a sense of objectiveness for the cannabis farmer has been lost in the age-old discrimination. Cannabis farmers are an integral part of our community’s future, and deserve the same respect and propriety afforded all farmers who grow on land designated for farming. Cannabis farmers deserve equitable treatment. They have accepted: that they will pay higher taxes than other farmers; the
Since 1959, Community First Credit Union has been the area’s financial good guys. The not-forprofit financial co-op was started by teachers who couldn’t get home loans because banks didn’t think teachers would make payments over the summer months when they weren’t paid. To help grow the next generation of local farmers, Community First introduced a 0%, zero-fee loan to AG students to raise their farm animal projects. Now, to keep people safe in what had been a cash-only business, Community First has partnered with cannabis dispensaries to make sure retailers could pay their employees, taxes and business expenses with checks and money transfers—just like any other legitimate business that provides value to the local economy.
highest standards of production and heavy regulations at the local and state level; and higher costs and longer waiting periods for permission to pursue their livelihood. They should be respected for meeting these incredible demands in order to bring safe cannabis crops to the modern consumer. They have the same right to their livelihood in a legally permissible occupation as any other crop or industry in this progressive state of California.