LAKEPORT >> The delay on passing Article 72 for cultivation on Rural Lands (RL) and incorporating a pilot program continued as tje Lake Count Board of Supervisors extended the hearing for the marijuana ordinance until a future date.
The Board initially put off the approval of the ordinance until more information was gathered from state conferences. This was to help give more direction on how to approach the legalization of marijuana in the state.
At the last conference, the Counties Cannabis Summit in Sacramento (CSAC), County Administrative Officer Carol Huchingson said her and other county officials attended different workshops to ensure each got different perspectives to bring back.
“They advised, and I quote, to not eat the whale. There is no reason to do everything today and look at your resources and what you have in terms of capacity for all this. They advised its better, even for the industry, if the county does it right,” Huchingson said.
After hearing recommendations from CSAC and the Board, Director of the Planning Division Bob Massarelli said he made various points that he would need to update in the ordinance and bring back for a recommendation.
Some of these include property ownership, the certification process and to include state laws and regulations to make it all encompassing. Future progress will also include a confirmed priority list for the compliant program and the procedures once this initial ordinance is passed and allows an establishment of who is compliant.
“The staff is hoping this week to schedule the planning commission meeting to establish a workshop review on the draft ordinance on the replacement where these things will be addressed in the near future,” Massarelli said.
Members of the public and potential cultivators were confused over some of the wordage that is used in Article 72 regarding the self-certification process and how many plants that are allowed without a permit. Massarelli said this would also get cleared up when the ordinance is brought back to the Board.
Lake County resident Ron Green said those who grow their own personal plants should be exempt from having to apply for a permit because they are not looking to grow commercially. If those who do grow their own six personal plants require a permit, they could potentially be at risk for violent crimes.
“I am concerned about privacy and the encouragement of violent crimes against cannabis farmers,” Green said. “This is especially worrisome if you require those with one to six plants to register. These are the most vulnerable since they are unlikely to have sophisticated anti-theft measures in place.
District 2 Supervisor and Chair of the Board Jeff Smith said if the proposed ordinance is approved there will be a second reading of it at a future meeting. After the second reading is approved the ordinance will come into effect 30 days after.
These updates will be made and heard at the August 22 Board meeting at 10 a.m. for a potential approval.
