Healdsburg this week joined a growing list of cities looking to curb outdoor marijuana cultivation.
The City Council on Monday unanimously approved an urgency ordinance forbidding the growing of non-medical marijuana outside, and only allowing indoor grows with strict health and safety provisions in place.
The action comes in response to the passage of Proposition 64, the statewide legalization of recreational marijuana approved by voters two weeks ago.
The ballot measure authorized growing up to six plants per household, but also allowed local jurisdictions to ban outdoor cannabis cultivation.
Sonoma, Windsor and now Healdsburg have chosen that option by imposing a moratorium on non-medical marijuana gardens in effect for an initial 45-day period, with an option to extend the ban a total of two years.
The justification is that marijuana cultivation can create offensive odors and lead to criminal activity, and that cities need time to study the impacts of legalization.
Healdsburg still allows medical marijuana patients to grow up to three plants outdoors.
There is less urgency when it comes to how cities intend to regulate sales and commercial activity related to marijuana, since the state will not begin licensing such businesses until 2018.
But Mayor Tom Chambers said he supports a ban on commercial activities, at least until it can be determined how it plays out in other cities.
Santa Rosa is very bullish about the marijuana industry, he said, It will be a very good test case.
News Moderator: Katelyn Baker
Full Article: Healdsburg Curbs Outdoor Marijuana Gardens
Author: Clark Mason
Contact: 707-526-8585
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Website: The Press Democrat
