CLEARLAKE >>The Clearlake City Council plans to vote on the newly proposed medical marijuana ordinance at its regular meeting today.
Since developed by the Ad Hoc committee in October, the drafted legislation has passed through the Planning Commission and the council with only minor changes regarding property bans and the distance of the grow from the property line, according to city documents.
At the last meeting, the city council deemed a permanent ban on lots if it violated the ordinance to be excessive and changed it to a maximum ban of five years. The discussion met with little dissent. Previous attempts to refine the city’s marijuana ordinance met with loud protest and threats of lawsuits.
If passed, all residential-zoned lots will be limited to only six plants regardless of parcel size. The plants are then required to be enclosed by a locked 10 by 10 foot fence that would be at least five feet away from all the property lines.
All grows must have a permanent water source on the property must be 100 feet away from all water and drainage sources
In order to grow, a physician’s recommendation for medical marijuana and a yearly, $150 permit from the city must be acquired. The permit must be filed before May 1 or violators will face a $300 fine.
These fees will help fund enforcement efforts, according to county documents.
The meeting begins at 6 p.m.