This week the board voted to reduce the amount of funding going toward cannabis-related programs for the next fiscal year, such as the sheriff’s cannabis enforcement team and public health education, to close a $1.2 million dollar overall budget deficit.
During the meeting, Supervisor Steve Lavagnino suggested that funds for the sheriff's cannabis team, which consists of around four officers, could be better used to enforce other areas of criminal activity.
“I would like to see this money redirected to let's start up a felony apprehension team with the cannabis money and do something that will actually make an impact in the community,” said Lavagnino.
Fellow supervisors agreed that remaining funds could be allocated to other areas. Discussions related to budget allocations will take place at future budget hearings in the coming weeks.
According to the county, cannabis tax revenue has been in a decline since the 2022-2023 fiscal year with county spending exceeding the incoming tax revenue from cannabis.
The new budget originally saw $6.7 million directed toward cannabis-related programs, but with this vote, it has been reduced to $5.3 million.
