Kings County officials are preparing for potential issues if Californians vote to legalize recreational marijuana in the November election.
The Kings County Board of Supervisors and the Lemoore City Council both discussed policies this week related to Proposition 64, also known as the Adult Use of Marijuana Act. County supervisors held a study session about the proposition while the Lemoore City Council had a first reading of its own ordinance on Tuesday.
Proposition 64 would allow Californians ages 21 or older to possess, transport and use up to an ounce of marijuana for recreational purposes. It would also allow individuals to grow up to six plants and impose a 15 percent retail sales tax on the drug. The bill would need to be approved by a majority of voters to pass during the Nov. 8 election.
Currently, Kings County prohibits medical marijuana cultivation and dispensaries. The potential ordinance could extend the ban to recreational marijuana and could be in place by the time Proposition 64 would go into effect should it pass.
Kings County Sheriff Dave Robinson came out against the proposition during the study session.
Robinson testified that while he is not against the use of medical marijuana, the passing of Proposition 64 would make officers jobs tougher and any monetary benefits from taxes the county would receive wouldnt be a good enough trade off. He urged the board to vote on a resolution against Proposition 64 and to have ordinances in place should it pass to limit peoples ability to grow or sell marijuana in the county as much as possible.
It would mean my staff will have to go into environments that are more dangerous, Robinson said of the possibility of Proposition 64 passing. It hits home with me, and we have to do something.
For those who dont plan to use recreational marijuana, Robinson also pointed out that the propositions passing could be a nuisance to someone living next to someone smoking or growing plants.
The stench is horrendous when you live next to it, Robinson said. If someone called to complain our hands would be tied.
Supervisor Richard Valle expressed concerns for that as well.
The exposure is something I dont like, Valle said.
Should the board act, Supervisor Joe Neves urged the board to make sure any ordinance would be in line with the cities in the county so the two dont contradict each other.
What we dont need is a hodgepodge of ordinances, Neves said.
Deputy Kings County Counsel Erik Kaeding recommended that the board follow suit with the city of Lemoore.
What they are doing is the best approach, Kaeding said.
Lemoore
In January, the Lemoore City Council voted to ban medicinal marijuana dispensaries, the cultivation, processing and delivery of the drug within city limits.
Tuesday, the council voted 4-1 to approve an ordinance, which would allow people to cultivate and smoke marijuana in their own home but require them to not cause a nuisance to nearby residents. The ordinance would also require a person to use a ventilation system to ensure nearby residents could not detect the smell. The ordinance will return for final approval on Oct. 4.
We wanted to be ahead of the curve and have a process in place for people to actually comply with the law, said Lemoore Police Chief Darrell Smith at the council meeting. “We want to make sure that the ventilation system for example actually does what its supposed to do so if you are smoking marijuana in the privacy of your residence, youre neighbors are not getting a contact high next door.
Other requirements in Lemoore would include building codes, property owner authorization for those who rent, and security measures for those who cultivate marijuana inside their residence. There would also be a ban on commercial cultivation, processing, delivery and dispensaries for recreational marijuana in Lemoore which are in line with what is currently in place for medicinal marijuana.
In 2014, the Hanford City Council also banned the cultivation and distribution of medical marijuana in all zones of the city, declaring it a public nuisance.
Supervisors will meet again at 9 a.m. Sept. 27 in the board chambers at the Kings County Government Center, 1400 W. Lacey Blvd. in Hanford.
The next Lemoore City Council meeting is 7:30 p.m. Oct. 4 in council chambers at 429 C St.
News Moderator: Katelyn Baker
Full Article: County Officials Eye Marijuana Ordinances
Author: Josh Butters and Cassandra Sandoval
Contact: (559) 582-0471
Photo Credit: None Found
Website: The Sentinel
