El Dorado County (Feb 8, 2024) – In his candid letter to constituents, Kevin McCarty, a candidate for the Board of Supervisors in District 2, sheds light on his professional background and association with the legal cannabis industry. As the Director of Licensing and Compliance for Capitol Compliance Management and Chief Compliance Officer of a cannabis manufacturing business, McCarty emphasizes his commitment to regulatory adherence, supporting small businesses and maintaining over 650 jobs in the Sacramento area. Acknowledging the nuanced nature of cannabis, McCarty advocates for responsible consumption while addressing the challenges posed by illegal cannabis grows in El Dorado County. Contrary to a focus on cannabis policy reform, McCarty prioritizes streamlining the building department, addressing the housing crisis, and effectively managing the county budget as key components of his mission as Supervisor.
— Written Statement —
Kevin McCarty for Supervisor 2024
PO Box 244 Somerset, CA 95684
February 8, 2024
Dear Neighbor,
My name is Kevin McCarty. I am running for the Board of Supervisors seat to represent and serve District 2. During my community outreach, I have been asked by several residents to discuss my line of work and association with the legal cannabis industry. This letter is intended to serve as an explanation and clarification of those topics, for all who may be interested.
First, a bit about my career. I serve as Director of Licensing and Compliance for Capitol Compliance Management and Chief Compliance Officer for a cannabis manufacturing business which I co-founded in 2020. My primary role is a specialist in matters of regulations, permitting / licensing, construction project management, and government affairs. I am responsible for ensuring that all our clients remain in strict adherence to all local ordinances, agency regulations, and State laws. My clients are entrepreneurs and small business owners, men and women who support their communities as well as their employees. While my team and I handle the permits, licenses, inspections, and paperwork, they can focus on building their brands and streamlining operations. This collaboration enables approximately 650 employees in the greater Sacramento area to remain gainfully employed in the emergent legal cannabis sector, one of few industries in California that offer entry-level career opportunities—as opposed to mere jobs —for residents.
Second, I will describe my views on cannabis in general. I believe that God created all seed-bearing plants to be received with thanksgiving. To paraphrase Paracelsus, one of the founding fathers of medical science, “All things are poison, there is poison in everything; the only thing that makes it not poison, is the dose.” Cannabis, like all other substances, can be harmful or helpful depending on the dose. Acknowledging this fact, our free republic is founded upon individual rights and responsibilities. At my current stage in life, as a father and business owner with an abundance of duties and obligations, I do not consume cannabis. Nor do I begrudge anyone for their choice to consume, provided it is done responsibly. I share the concern with many parents about the potential for my children to consume intoxicating substances and believe all measures to prevent this outcome are warranted and justified.
This brings me to the third point, pertaining to commercial cannabis policy. Since 1971 with passage of the Controlled Substances Act and President Nixon’s announcement of a “War on Drugs”, we have seen an exponential rise in the prevalence of illegal drugs — precisely the opposite of the Act’s intended effect. It is fair to say that “drugs” are winning the war. One hundred years ago, prohibition of alcohol by the federal government resulted in the same effect: increased consumption, dramatically higher rates of harm, and the rise of organized criminal gangs. Today in 2024, both alcohol and cannabis are legal. Our society tolerates the consequences of excess, regulates access to mitigate effects on youth, and reaps the tax benefits of each industry in the form of services provided for our communities. Our wine is renowned around the world, and the days of bootlegging are long gone. With cannabis, the presence of the illegal marketplace remains, as well as the negative consequences. Just as with alcohol after the repeal of prohibition, it will take some time for legal cannabis producers to displace and eliminate the illegal market. People can still make ‘moonshine, but most consumers prefer to buy beer, wine, or liquor from a store because prices are accessible, and quality is reliable. The best thing government policymakers can do to eliminate the illegal cannabis marketplace is to offer streamlined pathways for regulated, compliant operators to thrive while our law enforcement officers prosecute the black market.
As things stand today, El Dorado County is riddled with illegal cannabis grows, which abide by no labor laws, environmental regulations, or nuisance ordinances, with no associated benefit to our community services. These are the growers who are likely to have connections to organized drug cartels, and whose unregulated product, which may be contaminated with mold and pesticides, is easily accessible to our children and prevalent in our schools. I fully support our Sheriff’s efforts to eliminate these elements from our county. At the same time, we must always remember the lessons of prohibition. A mature person must acknowledge that we cannot control all aspects of human behavior, nor legislate an absolute view of morality upon society. He or she knows that our children must be protected, but once they are adults, they are free to make choices for their life as they see fit. The best we can do for them is to instill a strong sense of personal responsibility and fill their spirit with love and purpose, so drugs will not seduce them.
Lastly, I will address my campaign for Supervisor. There is a reason that cannabis is not mentioned in my campaign materials, except a brief mention as part of my professional background. If reforming cannabis policy was my goal, I would never have considered a run for office. I can advocate effectively for sensible ordinance changes as a private citizen. I am far more concerned about the world we are leaving for our children, and that our residents cannot afford to live in their communities, than about cannabis.
In the interest of transparency, I will disclose that as part of our farm we are seeking a permit to cultivate cannabis on a small (quarter-acre) patch of our 117-acre parcel. A far greater area, and far more my own personal passion, is dedicated to growing organic fruits, melons, vegetables, herbs, and microgreens. There are zero potential negative impacts on the surrounding community, due to our property’s remote and rural location. All aspects of the farm, working together, comprise the legacy I am building for my children which I hope to remain as our family-owned business for many generations to come.
My mission as Supervisor will be to streamline our building department — empowering residents to fix our housing crisis at the grassroots level —and manage our county budget effectively so we can fix our failing roads. I would love to hear your views on these issues as well as the future of agriculture in our county, including cannabis policy. As your representative, I will always ensure that your values are represented faithfully, regardless of my own personal views as a citizen. I look forward to hearing from you.
Regards,
Kevin W. McCarty Candidate, El Dorado County Supervisor District 2 www.McCarty4Supervisor.com kevinwmccarty@pm.me
