Pubdate: Tue, 30 Jun 2015
Source: Porterville Recorder (CA)
Copyright: 2015 Freedom Communications Inc.
Contact: http://mapinc.org/url/AJm5UIc8
Website: http://www.recorderonline.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2887
Author: Kelli Ballard

POT PERMITS PICKING UP PACE

It's been eight months since the City of Porterville required 
residents to acquire a permit to grow marijuana for medical use, and 
for most of that time, only one permit had been issued. However, the 
permits are suddenly more popular, with 10 issued recently, according 
to city staff.

The ordinance requiring permits was approved in October 2014 and went 
into effect Nov. 6. It allows medical marijuana patients to have up 
to 20 cannabis plants which can be located in a yard or accessory 
structure, or a combination of both.

An accessory structure, according to City Attorney Julia Lew, is a 
structure not used for living in, such as a greenhouse, garage or 
studio. "Residential use must remain residential use," she said 
during a city council meeting in November.

Only 20 plants are allowed per residence, no matter how many 
qualifying patients may reside in the home or on the property.

The ordinance requires that the grow area have a self-closing and 
locking gate or equivalent. Also, plants must remain one foot below 
the top of fences, and areas must meet building and land-use codes.

Patients need to provide their recommendation card or county-issued 
medical marijuana card for each qualified patient living in the 
residence, and for each qualified patient for whom any person is the 
primary caregiver.

A consent form must be signed and turned in to the community 
development department allowing for an inspection. A site plan of the 
cultivation area, including dimensions, must also be submitted.

If the qualifying patient is a renter, signed and notarized written 
permission from the landlord is required. Residents in mobile home 
parks and apartment complexes will not be allowed to grow.

According to staff, more people may be getting permits now because 
the planting season has begun. Applications for the cultivation 
permit are available on the city's website.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom