LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The Board of Supervisors on Tuesday agreed to form a committee to consider a new marijuana cultivation ordinance for the county.

In a 5-0 vote, the board created the Marijuana Cultivation Ordinance Advisory Committee.

It's the latest step in an effort to craft a measure that will address issues with medical marijuana cultivation in the county.

Last Oct. 11, the board unanimously passed Ordinance No. 2960, which regulated medical marijuana cultivation in the county's unincorporated areas.

However, in the face of a referendum launched by the Lake County Citizens for Responsible Regulations and Lake County Green Farmers Association, the board rescinded Ordinance No. 2960 at its meeting Jan. 3.

The Lake County Citizens for Responsible Regulations and Lake County Green Farmers Association also submitted enough signatures to qualify an initiative, the “Lake County Medical Marijuana Cultivation Act of 2012” – or Measure D – for the June 5 ballot.

But with concerns over Measure D's invoking of the Lake County Right to Farm Ordinance to protect large marijuana grows, as well as an allowance for up to 12 marijuana plants to be grown on residential plots of a half-acre or less – which was prohibited in the county's ordinance – the idea was put forward that the county should seek another solution.

At the board's Feb. 21 meeting – during which several county departments raised concerns with Measure D and its impact on public safety, as well as the possible creation of nuisance issues – Supervisor Denise Rushing suggested that the initiative could be used as the basis for a new county ordinance.

With the approval for the new Marijuana Cultivation Ordinance Advisory Committee now in place, the board announced Tuesday that it's seeking applicants for membership.

The new advisory committee will have seven members in the following categories: two positions representing marijuana cultivation; two positions representing agriculture; and one position each for a medical marijuana patient, physician and a member-at-large.

Applications for the advisory board will be accepted through Friday, April 27.

At its meeting on Tuesday, May 1, the board will consider appointing applicants to the advisory committee.

Applications may be obtained on the county Web site, http://www.co.lake.ca.us/Assets/BOS/docs/Application+Advisory+Board+with+email.pdf?method=1 ; at the Lake County Courthouse, Clerk of the Board’s Office, Room 109, 255 N. Forbes St., Lakeport.

For more information, please contact the Clerk of the Board’s Office at 707-263-2371 or at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .