ROSEVILLE COUNCIL HOLDS OFF ON POT BAN

Requests More Time to Consider Proposed Ordinance That Prohibits
Outdoor Medical Marijuana Cultivation

Roseville patients who use medical marijuana will have to wait a
little longer to find out if they will be allowed to continue growing
their weed outdoors.

The Roseville City Council considered a proposed ordinance during
Wednesday's meeting that would ban outdoor medical marijuana gardens
in response to residents' concerns about these gardens in their
neighborhoods, especially the odor.

After hearing from several opponents of the ban, the council decided
to hold off on making a decision until they could do more research and
find out how similar ordinances have worked in other cities.

Opponents said moving cultivation indoors can lead to fire hazards and
will cost growers more in electric bills. Growers will have to install
the proper lights and indoor exhaust equipment, which can be
expensive. One grower said he lives in a two-bedroom duplex and lacks
the space to cultivate indoors.

"It's the affordability and safety issues that bother me," said
Roseville resident Ora Roberts. "I'm on a fixed income, I'm disabled
and it's going to devastate me if I have to go indoors."

The proposed ordinance prohibits outdoor cultivation and addresses
other related safety issues. For example, it prohibits the use of
butane and similar flammable gases in processing.

The proposed ordinance prohibits the conversion of homes, including
vacant houses, for the sole purpose of marijuana cultivation. A person
who grows medical marijuana must maintain living areas in the house
for normal use.

Councilman John Allard expressed concern over moving pot plants
inside, where monitoring is less easy.

"That's my concern, there is no way to monitor it once it's indoors
and hidden from public view," Allard said. "We're basically saying
take it and hide it."

The proposed ordinance also limits indoor cultivation to no more than
50-square-feet and no taller than 10 feet, with exceptions. The
ordinance also states that indoor cultivation may not affect the
health and safety of neighbors by creating dust, glare, smoke, noise
or order.

A violator would be fined $500 each day the violation continues to
occur after the day it was supposed to be abated.

Rocklin, Rancho Cordova, Willits and Manteca are some other cities
with similar restrictions in place, said Roseville Police Chief Daniel
Hahn.

Jack Wallace, president of Cresthaven Neighborhood Association, said
his group initiated the ordinance request.

"It's a public nuisance," Wallace told the Press Tribune. "Growing
marijuana emits a smell much like a skunk. Neighbors who live close,
some say they can't use their backyards because the smell is so bad.
One person couldn't use their swimming pool."

Under Proposition 215, California patients with a valid doctor's
recommendation have the right to possess and grow pot for personal
medical use. Cities can regulate how, when and where medical marijuana
is grown.

Marijuana dispensaries are not allowed within Roseville city limits.
Local patients who do not grow at their residence must go to
Sacramento County to buy medical marijuana.

"The goal is to allow authorized patients access to medical marijuana
as authorized by state law, while protecting the health and safety of
surrounding neighborhoods," said Roseville spokeswoman Dee Dee Gunther.