LAKEPORT – A public hearing is scheduled for this evening's City Council meeting on a proposed ordinance to ban growing medical marijuana within the city limits.

The ordinance, drafted by Police Chief Kevin Burke, went before the City Council at its Feb. 6 meeting. At that time, the council approved it unanimously, and it was scheduled for a public hearing at tonight's meeting.

State voters approved Proposition 215, the Compassionate Use Act, in 1996. The law allows individuals with a physician's recommendation to use or grow marijuana for medical purposes.

Acting City Manager Richard Knoll had originally drafted an ordinance dealing with medical marijuana cultivation at the request of Mayor Roy Parmentier.

That ordinance, brought to the council Jan. 9, was based on one used by the City of Ukiah in which the city would have granted a minor use permit to anyone interested in growing medical marijuana.

Both city staff and the council were concerned with that original ordinance, which was handed over to Burke.

Last month, citing concerns about the city giving approval for an activity still illegal under federal law, Burke completely rewrote the ordinance, which makes growing medical marijuana illegal within Lakeport's city limits.

Burke said previously that an incident in October – involving an attempted break-in at a home where medical marijuana was grown – convinced him that the activity could jeopardize the safety of city residents.

The plant's strong odor also makes growing it inside the city inappropriate, said Burke.

The Lakeport City Council's regular meeting will begin at 6 p.m., following a 5 p.m. workshop on the city possibly hosting BoardStock.

The council meets at Lakeport City Hall, 225 Park St.

E-mail Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

{mos_sb_discuss:3}