Task force backs $5,000 site reclamation bond for cannabis permits

Task force members discussed adding a site reclamation (surety) bond to ensure the county can abate or remediate abandoned cultivation sites without waiting for liens or property sales. Proponents said bonds would protect neighbors and reduce staff time; others cautioned that $5,000 per site may not fully cover cleanups and that insurers have historically been reluctant to work with cannabis businesses. Staff noted some Board members prefer using code-enforcement fines and notices rather than pursuing a bond program but recommended the task force forward a recommendation given recurring community concerns about abandoned hoop houses and other hazards.