Butte County officials will consider strengthening their anti-marijuana ordinance Tuesday, making fines immediate and adding civil forfeiture to the mix.
The proposed changes to the ordinance, penned by County Counsel Bruce Alpert, will be considered by the Board of Supervisors.
In a report, Alpert said the changes would streamline the process and reduce enforcement costs.
The ordinance strictly regulates the growing of marijuana for legitimate medical purposes. A vaguely written statewide ballot measure legalized medical marijuana in California in 1996. Law enforcement in jurisdictions across the state have grappled with it ever since.
Under Butte County’s current law, those found in violation have three days to comply before a $500 a day fine begins accruing. The proposed amendment would start the fines immediately. Those caught in violation would have three days to bring their property into compliance and arrange for a re-inspection by the county otherwise, the daily fine would double.
The proposal also calls for all fines and other penalties to be collected through placing a tax lien on property.