News Flash

The deadline to pay Measure S taxes has been extended, providing additional time for those in the local cannabis community to meet their tax obligations.

On Tuesday, March 25, the Humboldt County Board of Supervisors approved an extension for Measure S tax payments from March 31 to Dec. 31, 2025 for permit holders already enrolled in a payment plan. Those who have not yet enrolled in a payment plan must do so by April 3 to qualify for the extended deadline.

The original March 31 deadline was set by the Board of Supervisors in October 2023 to address $18 million in unpaid Measure S taxes and $2.4 million in outstanding processing fees. Cannabis permit holders were required to pay processing and inspection fees by March 31, 2024, and enroll in a payment plan for Measure S taxes. Those who complied were granted until March 31, 2025, to pay their balances, with noncompliance risking permit suspension or revocation.

Under the Board’s new decision, the final deadline to pay Measure S taxes is now Dec. 31, 2025, with no further extensions.

Currently, about 76% of permit holders are up to date on their Measure S taxes.

How to Pay Measure S Fees and Taxes

Humboldt County cannabis permit holders may pay their permit or application fees by calling 707-445-7541 or in person at the Humboldt County Planning & Building Department Office, located at 3015 H St. in Eureka. Payment plans are not available for permit or application fees.

To pay your Measure S taxes or discuss payment plan arrangements, call 707-476-2450 or visit the Humboldt County Treasurer-Tax Collector’s Office, located at 825 Fifth St. in Room 125 in Eureka.

For more information, please contact the Humboldt County Planning & Building Department at 707-445-7541 or the Humboldt County Treasurer-Tax Collector’s Office at 707-476-2450.

A crucial deadline is approaching for Humboldt County cannabis permit holders. Monday, March 31 marks the final date for cannabis farmers to fulfill their Measure S tax obligations under payment agreements made with Humboldt County’s Treasurer-Tax Collector.

Humboldt County offices will be closed to the public on Monday, March 31, in observance of César Chávez Day. As a result, the deadline for farmers to fulfill their Measure S tax obligations has been extended to Tuesday, April 1.

This deadline stems from a decision made by the Humboldt County Board of Supervisors in October 2023 in response to outstanding debts of $18 million in unpaid Measure S taxes and $2.4 million in unpaid processing fees.

Under the Board’s direction, cannabis permit holders were required to pay processing and inspection fees by March 31, 2024, and enter into a payment plan for Measure S taxes. Those who complied were given until March 31, 2025, to fully settle their Measure S balances. Under the Board’s direction, permit holders who fail to meet this deadline risk permit suspension and possible revocation.

Currently, about two-thirds of permit holders are up to date on their Measure S taxes. Approximately 415 permit holders have entered into payment plans, with 378 still owing approximately $5.1 million. An additional 222 permit holders did not enter into a payment plan and collectively owe approximately $3.7 million.

Measure S Tax Enforcement to be Discussed at Upcoming Board of Supervisors Meeting

Understanding that the local cannabis community has ongoing concerns regarding Measure S tax enforcement, on Tuesday, March 25, the Humboldt County Board of Supervisors will discuss whether to maintain their existing direction or consider alternative solutions, particularly for those permit holders who have made efforts to meet their tax obligations.

The Board of Supervisors meeting agenda, with information on how to attend the meeting, will be available on the county’s website on Friday, March 21 when it is finalized. All interested community members are encouraged to attend in person at the Board of Supervisors’ Chamber in the Humboldt County Courthouse, 825 Fifth St. in Eureka, join the meeting on Zoom or watch the livestream at humboldt.legistar.com.

How to Pay Measure S Fees and Taxes

Humboldt County cannabis permit holders may pay their permit or application fees by calling 707-445-7541 or in person at the Humboldt County Planning & Building Department Office, located at 3015 H St. in Eureka. Payment plans are not available for permit or application fees.

To pay your Measure S taxes or discuss payment plan arrangements, call 707-476-2450 or visit the Humboldt County Treasurer Tax Collector’s Office, located at 825 Fifth St. in Room 125 in Eureka.

For more information, please contact the Humboldt County Planning & Building Department at 707-445-7541 or the Humboldt County Treasurer-Tax Collector’s Office at 707-476-2450.

As California’s legal cannabis market grows, DCC knows that for existing, new and potential cannabis license holders, complying with the regulations that protect and support the legal market can be complex. That is why DCC is committed to providing access to the resources and information new businesses need to thrive in the regulated cannabis industry. 

To learn more and view resources that have already been published as part of this effort, please visit https://cannabis.ca.gov/licensees/cannaconnect-compliance-hub/

As worsening drought conditions continue to place Humboldt County at risk of a wildfire disaster, the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office of Emergency Services (OES) is launching a new program which will allow commercial agriculture producers to attend to their crops or livestock inside a wildfire evacuation zone.

“The August Complex Fire was the first time in several years that a wildfire required a large-scale evacuation in a portion of Humboldt County,” OES Manager Ryan Derby said. “Through that incident, the need for agricultural access to evacuation zones became increasingly apparent and an interim plan was put in place to meet that need. The Restricted Area Access Pass Program has been developed with consideration of the issues and lessons learned from the 2020 fire season.”

Agricultural producers, licensed commercial cannabis cultivators and commercial livestock operators must submit an application to OES by October 15, 2021, for verification and enrollment into the Restricted Area Access Pass Program. Once enrolled, the participant is issued a personalized pass which, based upon safety conditions and incident status, may be used to gain entrance into an evacuation zone or other restricted area in order to provide food, water, medical treatment or other care to large-scale commercial livestock, and/or to tend to crops. 

“The access pass is not a guaranteed permit to enter a restricted zone but is a necessary pre-registration step making it easier for agricultural producers to access their livestock or crops during an emergency,” Derby said. “Please make every effort to apply for this program prior to an emergency occurring.”

How it Works

The passes will be administered and approved through OES, in partnership with the county Agricultural Commissioner’s Office and the Planning & Building Department. Once issued an access pass, agricultural producers with operations located within an evacuation zone must notify OES or the Agricultural Commissioner’s Office of their interest in accessing the property. Authorization to enter restricted zones will be given daily and decided based upon the conditions. The pass holder will be notified of approval.

Following notification, pass holders can access their property through a law enforcement checkpoint during daylight hours. The Restricted Area Access Pass does not grant authority to the pass holder to stay at their residence and/or business when an evacuation order is issued.

The access passes will be valid through December 31, 2021. Producers must apply yearly for an access pass.

“In the event that Humboldt County experiences fires or other natural disasters, the AgPass Program will be critical for ensuring that agricultural producers can respond to care for and protect crops and livestock in as timely a manner as conditions allow,” Humboldt County Agricultural Commissioner Jeff Dolf said.

Humboldt County residents can learn more about the Restricted Area Access Pass Program and apply at https://humboldtgov.org/3162/Restricted-Area-Access-Pass-Program.

All Humboldt County residents are encouraged to prepare now for wildfire season by creating a wildfire action plan, assembling an emergency supply kit and creating a family communication plan. To ensure you receive the most up-to-date information and emergency alerts, sign up for Humboldt ALERT, Humboldt County’s emergency alert system.

Find out more about how you can protect yourself and your family from wildfire at readyforwildfire.org.