LAKEPORT ? As the U.S. government relaxes policy on the prosecution of medical marijuana users and suppliers in states that allow it, Lake County staff reported to the Board of Supervisors Tuesday it is working on an ordinance that may restrict dispensaries.
The board took no action on the issue.
Community Development Director Richard Coel expects to finish an ordinance for board review in a few months and will ask the board during a public hearing at the next meeting to extend the moratorium, he said in a report to the board.
On Sept. 15, the board adopted an interim ordinance that imposed a 45-day moratorium to stop medical marijuana dispensaries from opening and stop law enforcement from taking action against established dispensaries that follow state law.
The U.S. Justice Department issued a policy memo Monday that told prosecutors medical marijuana patients or their sanctioned suppliers should not be targeted for federal prosecution in states that allow medical marijuana, the Associated Press reported. The guidelines do, however, make it clear that federal agents will go after people whose distribution goes beyond what is permitted under state law or use medical marijuana as a cover for other crimes. California and 13 other states allow medical marijuana use.
The board addressed a few other issues Tuesday.
Board members voted to allow the Sheriff”s Department to buy eight new Ford Crown Victoria police cars from Holder Ford for $178,093.
The board unanimously approved to have staff replace the Mathews Road Bridge at Manning Creek in Lakeport for $15,000 as well as using inventory material.
The bridge is closed and staff will aim to fix it by 2010.
Supervisor Rob Brown presented a proclamation to Skip Simkins thanking him for his service of more than 40 years with Lake County.
Board members unanimously voted to take no action on whether to vacate a portion of Ponderosa Lake, a public roadway that provides access to 13 parcels in the Upper Lake area.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Contact Katy Sweeny at ksweeny@record-bee.com or call her directly at 263-5636, ext. 37.
