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Carson City supervisors allow hemp cultivation indoors, block outdoor agricultural cultivation amid lawsuit

The Carson City Board of Supervisors voted to create a new ordinance relating to hemp cultivation within city limits on Thursday, allowing for indoor cultivation within certain zoning districts, effectively blocking outdoor agricultural cultivation.

Carson City has been involved in a $15 million lawsuit since 2019 after they denied a hemp cultivation project in the Buzzy Ranch area, despite an agreement between the city and the Jarrard Family Trust that allows the Jarrards to use a portion of the space for agricultural and ranching uses.

The Jarrards sold the property to Carson City in 2010 to be used as an Open Space property due its large presence of wetlands and wildlife. However, the Jarrards required, as part of the sale, that they be allowed to use a portion of the property for agricultural uses.

The Jarrard Trust leased the property to Tahoe Hemp on June 6, 2019 to cultivate hemp, a non-psychoactive relative of cannabis.

Carson City blocked the lease, claiming that the cultivation of hemp was not specifically listed as authorized uses of the property, and was sued for $15 million in January of 2020 in response.

On April 17, the Carson City District Court rejected a motion made by the city to dismiss the case based on an argument that there is not a valid lease with the trust and therefore lacks standing to use the property. They also argued that growing hemp does not fall under agricultural uses because at the time of the agreement, hemp was not a legal agricultural product.

The courts found that there is a valid contract and lease between the Jarrard Trust and Tahoe Hemp, and that there was no stipulation of what is and is not an agricultural product at the time of the sale.

In May 2020, a moratorium on hemp growing in Carson City was passed, which temporarily halted any applications for hemp projects for six months.

On Thursday, Oct. 15, the Carson City Board of Supervisors passed an ordinance on first reading to allow Hemp Cultivation Facilities within city limits, so long as they keep operations inside with odor controls in place.

The ordinance also allows the presence of Hemp Cultivation Facilities within Limited Industrial (LI) Districts, Agricultural (A) Districts, and Conservation Reserves (CR).

LI Districts also includes Bottling Plants/Brewery Facilities, Grinding and Sharpening of Tools, and Assembly, Fabricating and Manufacturing of Products and Materials.

A Districts include uses such as agricultural use, cattle raising, crop production, and more.

CR Districts include uses such as agricultural use, fire protection facility, flood control facility, parks, residential, and more.

Mayor Elect and Supervisor Lori Bagwell asked that the District Attorney’s Office add a conforming opportunity to include provisions that there are no vested property rights, and that the issued business license is a revokable privilege.

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Enjoy a movie classic on the big screen Tuesday, April 30 at A to Zen in Carson City. The featured movie is the Academy Award winning "Ordinary People," starring Mary Tyler Moore, Donald Sutherland, Timothy Hutton and Judd Hirsch.

Hello Northern Nevada Friends! Are you considering homeschooling? Please join us Saturday, May 4 at Shepherd of the Sierra Lutheran Church on 395 in Carson City as we gather to be inspired, uplifted, and gain the courage to homeschool. This conference is for anyone interested, whether you are a seasoned homeschooler or a newbie.
group photo

On Saturday, April 20, Carson City Community Gardeners and the UNR Extension Master Gardeners came together to get the Community Garden ready for the growing season. For two hours they removed weeds, spread mulch and prepped their garden beds for the season.

In collaboration with Chartwells, the Carson City School District foodservice partner, Culinary Arts students from Ms. Tammy Borreman’s class at Carson Middle School competed in a “Discovery Kitchen Cook Off.” Similar to a mini version of the Food Network’s Iron Chef, the timed cooking competition featured teams of three students who prepared succulent dishes for a judging panel.

Shoe Tree Brewing, with locations in Carson City and Minden, was recently awarded a Silver Award in the 2024 World Beer Cup, the most prestigious beer competition in the world.

Carson City Fire Department and sheriff's deputies were called late Monday morning to a crash in the 3900 block of US-50 and near the Maverik station on College Parkway.

Western Nevada College is presenting traditional commencement ceremonies for the Class of 2024 on May 20 in Carson City and May 23 in Fallon.

One month after Nevada DMV officials said that the long-awaited project to upgrade the agency’s antiquated computer systems was on track and within budget, the agency now says the plan will likely take three more fiscal years and cost $300 million more than originally anticipated.

Carson City Sheriff's Office reports three arrests from Friday until early Monday.

"Look for Something Good," a novel written by Carson City author Robert Drews, is available locally and online.

Proscenium Players Inc. presents Fools by Neil Simon, winner of the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor.

CARSON CITY — Since the early 1980s, May has held special significance in Nevada as a month dedicated to honoring and celebrating the state's rich history through historic preservation and archaeology.

Carson City Fire Department and multiple agencies will host Tuesday the 2nd annual wildfire education and preparedness workshop for the community Tuesday, April 30.

Carson City is a Bee City USA affiliate, the first in the state of Nevada. Bee Cities are a part of The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation. "Bee City USA’s mission is to galvanize communities to sustain pollinators by providing them with healthy habitat, rich in a variety of native plants and free to nearly free of pesticides.”

In recognition of Historic Preservation and Archeological Awareness Month, the City’s Historic Resources Commission has organized the 2024 Scavenger Hunt.

picture of Hall of Fame inductees.

Six local bowlers were inducted in the third class of the Carson Country Bowling Association Hall of Fame at their annual meeting on Saturday, April 27, at HomeGrown Bowl. Carson Country is the local association of the U.S. Bowling Congress.

Carson City Parks, Recreation and Open Space will hold a "Sheep Talk" this Monday, April 29 from noon to 1 p.m. so residents can learn from Carson City staff about the popular fuel reduction program used annually with the use of "firefighting" sheep.

Two Carson City residents who hiked C-Hill recently returned Sunday morning with a message: The flag that graces the hillside is in need of repair.

Here is the Carson City area road report for the week of April 29 through May 5, 2024. Closures are expected at the following locations due to road and utility work:

Camp GOTR (Girls on the Run) is coming to Carson City for the second year in a row! Camp GOTR will be a week-long, half-day summer camp from 8 AM- 12 PM at the Carson City Community Center the week of August 5th- August 9th.

Girls on the Run Sierras is a character-building program for girls in 3rd through 8th grade operating in the Reno-Tahoe area.

A number of new Junior Park Rangers received their badges as they were sworn in as part of the annual Junior Park Rangers Day in Carson City.

The next Carson City Board of Supervisors meeting will be held on Thursday, May 2, 2024 beginning at 8:30 a.m. in the Bob Crowell Boardroom of the Community Center, located at 851 E. William Street.

For many students at Carson High, Monica Weaver serves as a counselor who is dedicated to helping students navigate the challenges that could alter one’s four years of high school. But in the spring, Weaver also stands poolside, coaching the Senators swim team.

Meet Ricky and Reba, a sweet bonded pair who are waiting for their forever home. Sometimes bad things happen to good cats. Nobody knows this better than Ricky and Reba. Approximately 3 years old, they were abandoned when their owner moved, leaving them to fend for themselves on the streets of Reno. It wasn’t easy.

The 120 pounds of litter collected during the inaugural Shoreline Sweep Volunteer Cleanup at Sand Harbor State Park will be used in an innovative art installation in the park's visitor center.

Over 80 dedicated volunteers joined forces to comb the park's picturesque shores on Monday, April 22, 2024.

Warmer weather is upon us – finally – which also means so is the ever popular and very educational ComputerCorps TechCamp Summer Series! Yes, summer is just a few months off and ComputerCorps TechCamp 2K24 is now accepting applicants.


On April 24, 2024, at approximately 4:48 a.m., the Nevada State Police responded to a crash at the location of IR580 southbound near mile marker CC01 in Carson City, Nevada. (Near the Snyder Ave. overpass).

Each year, the Carson City Sheriff’s Office hosts an open house event as a way to connect families, deputies, non-profits and more. This year the event takes place May 11 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Douglas County officials have announced that construction will begin soon on the first phase of the Muller Parkway Project. The project aims to alleviate traffic congestion in Minden and Gardnerville, offering an alternative route to the main U.S. Route 395 through town. The decision comes as the County moves to fill its requirement to construct 2.4 miles of two-lane road by 2025.

Carson High School is pleased to announce Katarina Klatt and Brynn Russell will carry their academic and athletic talents on to the next level with Division 1 Scholarships. A short signing ceremony was held at the Carson Aquatic Center Wednesday, April 24, 2024.