Unincorporated desert communities throughout the county could soon see an end to the reefer madness. That’s because when the County Board of Supervisors meet at 10 a.m. tomorrow in San Bernardino, they’ll consider enacting an Urgency Ordinance to dramatically increase penalties for illegal cannabis activity. Reporter Mike Lipsitz tells is more about the newly proposed penalties for illegal pot growers…
County code prohibits commercial cannabis cultivation, distribution, transportation, and related activities, but existing penalties are insufficient to deter illegal pot activity, especially cultivation. The situation has led to an increase in crime, blight, environmental damage, and pollution. The proposed ordinance increases penalties for violations. Adoption of the urgency ordinance would allow its immediate implementation.
The county formed a task force to address proliferation of large pot farms all over the desert. The estimated number of such sites increased from about 200 to more than 900 in the past year.
As part of the 2021-22 Recommended Budget, the Board approved almost $14.5 million to address Community Concerns and Crime Suppression. The majority of these funds will be used for the purpose of addressing the illegal marijuana cultivation issues present in the County through increased Sheriff and Code Enforcement resources.
A first offense for growing under 200 plants would increase from $100 to $1,000, the second offense would go from $200 to $1,500, and a third conviction for pot cultivation would increase from $500 to $3,000. Each offense could also land the grower in jail for up to six months. Larger growers cultivating 200 plants or more would face fines starting at $3,000, for each day of activity.
The ordinance does not impact personal pot use. The urgency ordinance is proposed as an urgency measure necessary for the immediate protection and preservation of the public peace, health, safety and welfare, and shall take effect on adoption.
(1) The public may view the Board Meeting live stream at http://www.sbcounty.gov/Main/Pages/ViewMeetings.aspx;
(2) If you wish to make a comment on a specific agenda item or a general public comment prior to the Board meeting, submit comments via U.S. Mail*, email at [email protected] or online at http://www.sbcounty.gov/cob/publiccomments/default.aspx. Comments received prior to the start of the meeting will be forwarded to the Board of Supervisors for review;
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Any person interested in viewing or addressing the Board during a meeting by interactive video may do so at the Bob Burke Joshua Tree Government Center, 63665 Twentynine Palms Hwy., in Joshua Tree.
