A special meeting of the Shasta County Board of Supervisors will focus on industrial hemp, and a proposed pilot program. The board has long been resistant to allowing the cultivation of hemp because of fears that hemp fields might conceal the growing of hemp’s psychoactive cousin, cannabis, and that deputies may not be able to tell the difference. However, when cannabis is grown in proximity to hemp it causes it to go to seed, rendering it worthless. Last May an ordinance was passed that would permit indoor cultivation of hemp in certain zoning districts, but nobody has shown interest in such a project. Thursday’s discussion will address outdoor hemp cultivation. The meeting begins at 4:30PM Thursday. Public participation is encouraged, either in person or by watching the meeting online and commenting by telephone. Comments can be issued in advance at [email protected].