The General
New Member
California - City of Lakeport officials said this week that they're planning to begin strict enforcement of a medical marijuana cultivation ordinance passed by the Lakeport City Council last year. In June 2013, the Lakeport City Council unanimously passed the ordinance, which was the product of a committee of community members and city staffers, as Lake County News has reported. City officials said they sought to create rules that strike a balance between the concerns of residents regarding the cultivation of marijuana in the community and protecting the rights of patients with the required medical recommendation to cultivate their own medicine, individually or as part of a legitimate collective. The ordinance, which became law on July 18, 2013, prohibits outdoor grows. It requires that marijuana grows be conducted in accessory outdoor structures with effective odor filtration systems.
The grow structures also must have setbacks from other structures and property lines, with perimeter fencing also required. While there is no restriction on the number of cannabis plants, the maximum area of the plant canopy is 80 square feet, according to the ordinance. The document also prohibits medical marijuana cultivation within 300 feet of any school, child care center, park or playground. Lakeport Police Chief Brad Rasmussen said the rules are designed to allow the cultivation of medical marijuana in residential areas in a manner that will not create nuisance odors or increase public safety threats related to theft, burglary, home invasions and fires. Once the ordinance was passed, the city undertook a public education campaign last summer and fall, seeking voluntary compliance.
Rasmussen said his agency and the Lakeport Community Development Department provided public education related to the ordinance. Now, they intend to move forward with taking strict enforcement action on medical marijuana grows that are not in compliance with this ordinance, Rasmussen said. Rasmussen has emphasized that city staff intend to address noncompliant grows based on a complaint-driven process. The city will use its administrative citation process to handle noncompliant grows, with growers potentially facing infractions that can bring citations.
Information about the process can be found here. Rasmussen urged community members to review the ordinance and contact Lakeport Police or Community Development Department staff with any questions. He said the city also can provide information about a secure structure specifically designed for medical marijuana cultivation, including the necessary odor filtration system. Questions can be directed to Lt. Jason Ferguson of the Lakeport Police Department, 707-263-5491 or jferguson@lakeportpolice.org ; or Planning Services Manager Andrew Britton, 707-263-5613, Extension 28, or abritton@cityoflakeport.com.
News Moderator - The General @ 420 MAGAZINE ®
Source: Lakeconews.com
Author: Elizabeth Larson
Contact: Contact Us
Website: Lakeport officials plan strict enforcement of medical marijuana cultivation ordinance
The grow structures also must have setbacks from other structures and property lines, with perimeter fencing also required. While there is no restriction on the number of cannabis plants, the maximum area of the plant canopy is 80 square feet, according to the ordinance. The document also prohibits medical marijuana cultivation within 300 feet of any school, child care center, park or playground. Lakeport Police Chief Brad Rasmussen said the rules are designed to allow the cultivation of medical marijuana in residential areas in a manner that will not create nuisance odors or increase public safety threats related to theft, burglary, home invasions and fires. Once the ordinance was passed, the city undertook a public education campaign last summer and fall, seeking voluntary compliance.
Rasmussen said his agency and the Lakeport Community Development Department provided public education related to the ordinance. Now, they intend to move forward with taking strict enforcement action on medical marijuana grows that are not in compliance with this ordinance, Rasmussen said. Rasmussen has emphasized that city staff intend to address noncompliant grows based on a complaint-driven process. The city will use its administrative citation process to handle noncompliant grows, with growers potentially facing infractions that can bring citations.
Information about the process can be found here. Rasmussen urged community members to review the ordinance and contact Lakeport Police or Community Development Department staff with any questions. He said the city also can provide information about a secure structure specifically designed for medical marijuana cultivation, including the necessary odor filtration system. Questions can be directed to Lt. Jason Ferguson of the Lakeport Police Department, 707-263-5491 or jferguson@lakeportpolice.org ; or Planning Services Manager Andrew Britton, 707-263-5613, Extension 28, or abritton@cityoflakeport.com.
News Moderator - The General @ 420 MAGAZINE ®
Source: Lakeconews.com
Author: Elizabeth Larson
Contact: Contact Us
Website: Lakeport officials plan strict enforcement of medical marijuana cultivation ordinance
