Orland bans pot shops

Don't ask about putting a medical marijuana dispensary in Orland.

The City Council voted Tuesday night to ban such facilities, along with collectives and collaboratives.

There was little comment, since most of the discussion was held during the public hearing on Feb. 6

The ban prohibits medical marijuana distribution facilities from the city, whether they are fixed or mobile and says no permits or licenses will be issued for that purpose.

Violators will be subject to the city's public nuisance laws and could face civil penalties, nuisance abatement or citations, the new code states.

In addition, the council approved medical marijuana cultivation guidelines for patients who have identification cards or recommendations from their doctors.

The ordinance prohibits the cultivation of medical marijuana within 300 feet of any hospital, church, school, park or playground, or any other area where large numbers of minors congregate.

It also requires the grow to be on property that is the patient's or main caregiver's primary residence and it be grown inside a detached building with locking doors and a security system.

The cultivation area will be limited to 50 square feet per parcel or residence, whichever is less, city officials said. The cultivated marijuana must be used by the patient and cannot be distributed, sold or given to other parties or organizations.

Outdoor cultivation is banned along with growing it inside a residence.

If it is in a greenhouse, it must be surrounded by a solid 6-foot high fence.

Wherever possible, there should be a 10-foot setback from the property line on the side and rear yards and any other building on the parcel. The plants cannot be grown in front yards.

Other conditions apply and qualified patients can find out the details at City Hall or by reading the ordinance on the city's website.

Those who violate this ordinance could be subject to civil action, nuisance abatement proceedings and face fines up to $1,000 per day — plus attorney fees if an abatement action is taken.

Glenn County supervisors also passed guidelines for medical cultivation in the unincorporated areas Tuesday.

However, it does allow the plants to be grown outdoors in a 100-square-foot area provided it is fenced and not visible to neighbors.

Three-hundred foot and 1,000-foot setbacks from churches, schools and parks are required by the county depending on the size of the parcel.

Dispensaries, collectives and cooperatives within the county are also banned.

Personal gardens for medical marijuana patients are confined to property owned by the patient — not rentals.

Contact Rick Longley at 934-6800 or rlongley@tcnpress.com.