LAKEPORT, Calif. — The Lakeport Planning Commission will consider an ordinance to change city code to allow for temporary cannabis events at the Lake County Fairgrounds.

The commission will meet at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 14, in the council chambers at Lakeport City Hall, 225 Park St.

The agenda is available here.

To speak on an agenda item, access the meeting remotely here; the meeting ID is 814 1135 4347, pass code is 847985. 

To join by phone, dial 1-669-444-9171; for one tap mobile, +16694449171,,81411354347#,,,,*847985#.

Comments can be submitted by email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. To give the city clerk adequate time to print out comments for consideration at the meeting, please submit written comments before 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 14.

The commission’s main item of business is its consideration of the recommendation of an ordinance amending sections of the Lakeport Municipal Code regarding commercial cannabis events.

Specifically, the proposed changes would allow limited temporary cannabis events at the Lake County Fairgrounds, whose chief executive officer recently contacted the city about a proposal to host a temporary cannabis event this spring with cannabis retail sales permitted, according to a report to the commission from Community Development Director Joey Hejnowicz.

“The Lake County Fairgrounds has expressed interest in hosting a cannabis-related event as part of its broader, year-round event programming strategy intended to increase community engagement, attract visitors, and support the long-term financial sustainability of the Fairgrounds,” Hejnowicz wrote. “The Fairgrounds regularly hosts large, managed events and has the infrastructure, staffing capacity, and security experience necessary to accommodate specialized, regulated events.”

He said the proposed cannabis event “is envisioned as a springtime gathering designed to showcase and celebrate Lake County's local cannabis growers and farmers, many of whom are long-standing agricultural producers within the region. The event would combine cannabis-related programming with live music and entertainment to create a destination-style
event that highlights Lake County's unique agricultural identity and emerging cannabis economy.”

Hejnowicz’s report said the amendment to the municipal code “is structured as a prohibition citywide with a limited exception at a single established venue,” in this case, the fairgrounds, and requires compliance with state law and all Department of Cannabis Control license conditions. 

Staff is recommending the commission adopt the draft ordinance with the changes and find that the proposed amendment to Chapter 5.34 of the Lakeport Municipal Code “appropriately balances local control with state cannabis regulations, supports economic development and community events at an established venue, and maintains robust safeguards to protect public health, safety, and welfare.”

Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, and on Bluesky, @erlarson.bsky.social. Find Lake County News on the following platforms: Facebook, @LakeCoNews; X, @LakeCoNews; Threads, @lakeconews, and on Bluesky, @lakeconews.bsky.social.