The County of Lake Board of Supervisors’ workshop on Jan. 17 went over a draft for various regulations and restrictions for Article 72 in regards to the growing of cannabis within the county now that marijuana has become legal in the State of California.
Michael Green, an activist part of the Lake County Growers Association said the last time the Article was updated was in July, before Proposition 64 was passed. Now that it has become law, he added, an accurate direction can be taken on what the Board of Supervisors want to do with the draft.
“This is an interesting time for the county,” Green said. “No formal actions will be taken yet, but there will be some intentional feedback given.”
Associate Planner for the Community Development Department Mireya Turner who has been heavily involved in Article 72 said the proposal is being completely rewritten because it reflects commercial usage instead of personal. Turner included that regulations and restrictions based on the health, safety and welfare of the community will continue to be in place and further elaborated upon.
There are still plenty of unknowns in the passing of recreational use. California must rationalize medicinal use within the new law. Tax and banking rules must be finalized. Expected crimes such as burglary, trespassing, robbery, armed robbery and home invasions might become more or less of an issue as a result of legalization.
Security implementations added such as security cameras and chain link fences with locked gates are to help prevent these crimes that might occur. The one mile distance from any public or private a school providing instruction in kindergarten or any grades K through 12 and the height of the plants and keeping the plants will still be regulated as well.
“Instead of hiding that you’re growing marijuana with an ugly fence, it can now be exposed and known so it can be ensured the law enforcement will respond,” Turner said.
To enable people who are interested in cultivating and take advantage of the economic development, but also minimize impact and preserve the community an updated zoning ordinance is being put into place for areas where cultivators can grow and cannot. With Proposition 64 passed, however, Turner said even though some people qualify for a local permit to grow marijuana, they might not qualify for a state permit and both are needed now to cultivate.
“We are in this great position for economic growth in this county,” Turner said. “Everything is on the table until the board takes it off.”
Richard Knoll, who runs the Richard Knoll Consulting — Land Planning and Permitting spoke on behalf of his clients he has in Lake County and how the updated plan might affect them.
“They define where cannabis should be allowed to be cultivated,” Knoll said. “It is pretty darn restrictive, but should be seriously considered by the board.”
Those who are planning on cultivating have to plan for the various regulations that will be put in place and for the cost of it Knoll said, but there will be a great return investment for them.
“All folks participating, have had some experience in cultivating,” Knoll said.
Knoll added that with the new Board members, there might be some other interest or concerns they may have that the past ones did not when they were holding the workshops last year.
