Yolo Lifts Ban On Outdoor Medical Pot Cultivation

People in Yolo County who use medical marijuana will now be able to legally grow the plant outdoors, with some restrictions. 

The County Board of Supervisors this week approved an interim ordinance lifting the ban on outdoor grows for patients cultivating their own plants. 

"We're doing it really as a courtesy to folks who want to begin growing in April and it puts them on notice so that they know what they can and can't do going forward," said Assistant County Counsel Carrie Scarlata.

Experts say April is the best time to start growing marijuana outdoors.

Under the ordinance, individuals will be allowed to cultivate up to 100 square feet of marijuana for personal use.

Scarlata told supervisors it also allows commercial growers to continue, as long as those companies comply with state water quality rules.

"To separate out the legitimate folks growing, who want to operate within the law, from those sort of bad actors that are creating these neighborhood concerns," said Scarlata.

Concerns such as crime and odors.

The interim ordinance is temporary, until county staff develop procedures for licensing and regulating commercial growing, transportation and taxation of medical marijuana.