The State Water Resources Control Board adopted the
Cannabis Cultivation Policy this week, which includes
new standards to protect water flows and water quality in
California. The Policy establishes statewide requirements that
will be implemented through a water quality permit known as the
Cannabis General Order and through conditions for
cannabis-related water rights referred to as Cannabis Small
Irrigation Use Registrations.
The policy also includes cannabis-related waste discharge
requirements and establishes protections for riparian areas,
wetlands, and stream flows. The policy was developed in
consultation with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife
(CDFW) and the California Department of Food and Agriculture
(CDFA) and will be incorporated into all commercial cannabis
licenses issued by CDFA under its CalCannabis Cultivation
Licensing Program.
The policy takes effect upon approval by the Office of
Administrative Law which is expected sometime in late in 2017.
