Council advances CRRF draft distribution plan for cannabis tax funds; public comment period set

Council received a presentation from the Community Reinvestment and Repair Fund (CRRF) committee on a draft distribution plan for cannabis tax revenues. The plan formalizes committee membership, clarifies eligible and prohibited uses, and establishes a community outreach process including flyers, a QR code and a web page for public comment.

Committee staff said the plan expands membership with three new community members (Corey Peck, Ma'Shea Smith and Xavier Spencer) and intends to solicit input between the meeting and a Sept. 15 public hearing. If the distribution plan is adopted on the posted schedule, the committee plans to open grant applications in October and return recommendations to the council on Oct. 6 with a tentative funding cycle that could result in awards around Dec. 1.

"The distribution plan, expands the committee membership, sets the committee's responsibilities, identifies eligible uses and prohibited uses, and, eligible applicants for, and this is all surrounding the use of cannabis tax money," a committee representative said. Council approved posting the draft for employee and public feedback and discussed the county’s approach to remain compliant with new state regulations while retaining local control over final distribution decisions.