Pubdate: Thu, 08 Mar 2007
Source: Lake County Record-Bee (Lakeport, CA)
Copyright: 2007 Record-Bee
Contact:  http://www.record-bee.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3384
Author: Rene Morales, Record-Bee Staff Writer
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?115 (Cannabis - California)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mmj.htm (Cannabis - Medicinal)

POT ORDINANCE MOVES FORWARD

LAKEPORT -- The Lakeport City Council held a public hearing on 
Tuesday to provide residents the opportunity to voice their opinions 
on a new marijuana ordinance introduced last month to the council.

The ordinance cannot be adopted until the second reading of the 
ordinance, which is scheduled for the next city council meeting.

According to the ordinance, "No cultivation of marijuana is to occur 
within city limits," which would include even those with licenses 
obtained through Proposition 215.

"This ordinance is one man's opinion, the Chief of Police and the 
city council is just going along with him," said David McCullick of 
D&M Compassion Center in Clearlake. "I feel confident that when this 
reaches the higher courts, it will lose."

Proposition 215, voted into California law during the Nov. 5, 1996 
election. Also known as the Compassionate Use Act of 1996, the 
proposition was a statewide voter initiative that allows those with a 
valid doctor's recommendation to possess and cultivate marijuana for 
personal medical use.

The conflict over state and federal law and the enforcement of either 
has been a source of confusion to those affected by Propostition 215. 
The proposed city ordinance has the potential to affect residents of 
Lakeport who already grow marijuana -- medical or otherwise -- and 
those planning to grow marijuana.

"I feel that a city is not an appropriate place to grow marijuana; 
this ordinance only affects those living within the city limits," 
said Lakeport Police Chief Kevin Burke. "It's a matter of public 
safety and a quality of life for our residents of Lakeport."

According to the state Department of Justice, Lake County ranked No. 
1 in the state for marijuana plant seizures for the year 2006. More 
than 1.5 million plants were seized in California during the 
eradication season under the department's 2006 Campaign Against 
Marijuana Planting (CAMP). This total surpassed last years' 
record-breaking season of 540,989 by more than 1 million plants and 
had a street value of more than $6.7 billion. Lake County had a total 
of 314,603 plants seized during the same time period.

If the ordinance is voted in following a second reading, a 
publication period would occur. The ordinance would go into effect 30 
days after that publication period.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom