Robert Celt
New Member
Shasta County will consider a ban on medical cannabis delivery services for unincorporated areas, along with the adoption of zoning permits for growing medical marijuana in code approved structures.
Planning Commissioners will consider amendments to the county's existing medical marijuana zoning ordinances in a special meeting on Thursday, where Director of Resource Management Richard Simon will present a revised draft ordinance.
If approved, the draft will go to the Shasta County Board of Supervisors for adoption in the coming weeks, where supervisors will also set a renewal fee for the permit process.
The ordinance would require growers to take out two-year home cultivation permits, with a renewal option, accompanied by an application and renewal fee. The county forbids any outdoor grows, but will allow people to grow a limited amount of medical marijuana in outbuildings built to certain specifications.
The county's move to revise its ordinance comes as state legislators approved a trio of bills, referred to as the Medical Marijuana Regulation and Safety Act, that overhaul the medical cannabis industry in California.
One concern for counties across the state is a March deadline that defaults counties to the state's laws unless a county explicitly puts in place its own ordinances. Assemblyman Jim Wood, D-Healdsburg, author of Assembly Bill 21, has stated the deadline would be changed sometime by next month, but Shasta County is taking the initiative in updating its ordinance.
Hezekiah Allen, executive director with the California Growers Association, said more than a few counties are rolling out prohibitions on services and ordinances related to medical marijuana.
"I think that the act was monumental, but we've certainly seen a wave of local governments respond to that deadline. We feel the ban ultimately will not solve a county's problem," Allen said, remarking whether or not the deadline remains, many counties feel rushed to make their decisions sooner rather than later.
Betty Cunningham, with the local anti-drug group Chemical People, thinks the county is playing catch-up with the rest of the state. Cunningham said each county should beef up its laws now – in particular by banning delivery services.
"If you look across the rest of the state, we're not unusual. There are places that do not have delivery/dispensary regulations in place. The county is starting to take note of that," Cunningham said.
Anderson City Council recently updated its own zoning ordinance with an amendment explicitly prohibiting delivery services.
The Shasta County Planning Commission meets 2 p.m. Thursday at the Board of Supervisors' Chambers, 1450 Court St. in Redding.
News Moderator: Robert Celt 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: California: Planning Commissioners Talk Medical Marijuana Update
Author: Nathan Solis
Photo Credit: None Found
Website: Record Searchlight
Planning Commissioners will consider amendments to the county's existing medical marijuana zoning ordinances in a special meeting on Thursday, where Director of Resource Management Richard Simon will present a revised draft ordinance.
If approved, the draft will go to the Shasta County Board of Supervisors for adoption in the coming weeks, where supervisors will also set a renewal fee for the permit process.
The ordinance would require growers to take out two-year home cultivation permits, with a renewal option, accompanied by an application and renewal fee. The county forbids any outdoor grows, but will allow people to grow a limited amount of medical marijuana in outbuildings built to certain specifications.
The county's move to revise its ordinance comes as state legislators approved a trio of bills, referred to as the Medical Marijuana Regulation and Safety Act, that overhaul the medical cannabis industry in California.
One concern for counties across the state is a March deadline that defaults counties to the state's laws unless a county explicitly puts in place its own ordinances. Assemblyman Jim Wood, D-Healdsburg, author of Assembly Bill 21, has stated the deadline would be changed sometime by next month, but Shasta County is taking the initiative in updating its ordinance.
Hezekiah Allen, executive director with the California Growers Association, said more than a few counties are rolling out prohibitions on services and ordinances related to medical marijuana.
"I think that the act was monumental, but we've certainly seen a wave of local governments respond to that deadline. We feel the ban ultimately will not solve a county's problem," Allen said, remarking whether or not the deadline remains, many counties feel rushed to make their decisions sooner rather than later.
Betty Cunningham, with the local anti-drug group Chemical People, thinks the county is playing catch-up with the rest of the state. Cunningham said each county should beef up its laws now – in particular by banning delivery services.
"If you look across the rest of the state, we're not unusual. There are places that do not have delivery/dispensary regulations in place. The county is starting to take note of that," Cunningham said.
Anderson City Council recently updated its own zoning ordinance with an amendment explicitly prohibiting delivery services.
The Shasta County Planning Commission meets 2 p.m. Thursday at the Board of Supervisors' Chambers, 1450 Court St. in Redding.
News Moderator: Robert Celt 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: California: Planning Commissioners Talk Medical Marijuana Update
Author: Nathan Solis
Photo Credit: None Found
Website: Record Searchlight
