El Dorado County wine growers are upset over the rising number of cannabis grows. They understand marijuana is legal, but where it's being cultivated is causing concern – and a new cannabis application sparked outrage.
For a quarter of a century, Randy Rossi, has run Saluti Cellars, a Somerset winery and event venue. Rossi is part of what's called the Fairplay American Viticultural Area. "You have to petition the federal government to recognize it," Rossi said. "You have to have certain characteristics in your soil. Climate, even cultural considerations, are given."
He takes pride in that label but said what's planned is becoming a growing problem. A cannabis cultivation nearby on Perry Creek Road just got the green light from the county.
Rossi represents two associations opposed to the seven-acre project and says it will impact the brand they've built, create safety concerns and cause long-term water worries because cannabis plants use ten times the amount of water grapevines use.
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