Even though California voters approved recreational marijuana last fall, many cities and counties, like Yolo, don't have laws regarding who can grow pot and where.
Yolo County says people are growing weed all over the unincorporated areas, even though there is no ordinance that allows it.
A series of community meetings are being held this month to gather ideas for the county's new cultivation and processing rules.
Leslie Lindbo is the director overseeing the effort. According to her, people have already expressed concerns.
"Fencing is one area where the public is concerned with the community character and the fences that surround outdoor cultivation. Another concern is odors from marijuana cultivation. In some cases, this can be addressed with buffers or setbacks or in other cases, indoor cultivation,” she says.
According to her, sometimes, land use is a topic of concern.
"Sometimes, valuable agricultural land isn't used to its full potential. For example, the marijuana cultivation will take place on one part, but the remainder of the parcel will remain fallow," she says.
The first public forum is on Nov. 14 in the town of Guinda. The County hopes to host four more in other locations between now and the end of the month.
A new law could be presented to the Yolo County Board of Supervisors by March.
The County could have an ordinance in place by this time next year.
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