Trinity County approves microbusiness conditional use permit to add type 11 cannabis distribution

TRINITY COUNTY, Calif. — The Trinity County Planning Commission on May 8 approved a conditional use permit allowing an existing licensed cannabis microbusiness to add a type 11 distribution component, a step applicants and local growers said will help small cultivators reach retail markets.

The commission voted 4-0 to adopt environmental findings under CEQA and approve CP25-01 based on the findings in Planning Commission Resolution 20 25 0 8, subject to the conditions in Exhibit A with the insertion of the word "applicable" to clarify which previously approved director's-use-permit conditions remain in force.

The change adds a type 11 distributor capability to a site previously authorized for cultivation and a director's-use-permit (DUP) microbusiness that included type 6 manufacturing, cultivation, non-storefront retail and type 13 distribution. Drew Plavani, Cannabis Division Director, explained the practical difference: "the main difference between a type 13 and a type 11, is really that a type 13 is the distribution license type that allows for final form packages to be created and the COAs, which are required prior to moving it from distribution to retail to occur at that distribution facility." He added that only a type 11 distributor may host the lab to obtain the final certificate of analysis required before product goes to retail.

Applicant representative Anna Wright told commissioners the application "is a previously director's improvement approved micro business, and the main goal the only goal tonight is to change the type of distribution." Co-applicant Lorraine Curran said the facility already places product in retail and that adding distribution capability would let the operation keep packaging and value-added work in Trinity County: "we are in now 18 stores across California," Curran said, noting vertical integration allows local growers to retain more of the product's value.

Commissioners pressed staff on whether limitations tied to the earlier DUP — specifically a six nonemployee-vehicle trips-per-week cap — would remain. Staff and the applicants said the resolution's conditions attempt to include distribution performance standards while preserving applicable prior conditions; staff agreed to revise Exhibit A wording to avoid unintentionally carrying forward DUP thresholds that do not apply to a CUP. The motion the commission approved explicitly inserted the word "applicable" into paragraph 3 of Exhibit A to address that concern.

Public comment was overwhelmingly supportive. Growers and local business representatives said a local type 11 distribution capability would reduce out-of-county packaging and transportation costs and help craft cultivators remain economically viable. Adrian Keith of Hayfork said he was "really excited by this project" and described the practical hardships small farmers face when packaging and distribution must move off-county. Several other speakers representing farms, the Hayfork Chamber of Commerce and dispensary operators urged approval.

The commission also approved minutes from its April 24, 2025 meeting earlier in the session.

The conditional use permit carries the project reference CP25-01 and the prior cultivation conditions are listed under project CDP 24 19 in staff materials. Planning staff said they will amend the resolution language in Exhibit A to clarify which previously approved DUP conditions remain "applicable" to the CUP and which do not. No implementation date was specified in the hearing record.