Commission Considers New Medical Marijuana Ordinance

The Menifee Planning Commission on Wednesday will conduct a public hearing to consider the recommendation of a more thorough ordinance prohibiting medical marijuana dispensaries, delivery and cultivation in the city.

The commission will vote on a staff proposal to combine two previous ordinances into one. The intent is to create one ordinance covering all aspects of marijuana cultivation and distribution.

According to the agenda for the Feb. 25 meeting, the proposal would prohibit the operation of mobile marijuana dispensaries in Menifee. It would also prohibit the delivery of medical marijuana anywhere in the city from a mobile dispensary, regardless of where the mobile dispensary is based.

A third element of the proposal concerns the cultivation of marijuana on one's property in Menifee. Staff has presented to the commission for consideration three options:

-- Prohibit any form of marijuana cultivation on a parcel of land within city limits.

-- Allow cultivation of no more than two mature marijuana plants or four immature plants (without buds) on a legal parcel of land, but only within an enclosed structure.

-- Allow the cultivation of the same amount of marijuana as stated in the second option, but either indoors or outdoors.

The original city ordinance regarding medical marijuana was adopted by the City Council in July 2013. Under the existing ordinance, mobile marijuana dispensaries are prohibited in Menifee, but the issue of cultivation within city limits was not addressed. That ordinance passed 4-1 over the objections of some residents who said they have a legal right to use medical marijuana and would have a hard time driving outside the area to purchase it.

Wednesday's meeting begins at 7 p.m. at City Hall, 29714 Haun Road. Whatever ordinance is approved would be sent to the City Council for consideration.