SACRAMENTO – Sacramento County supervisors have unanimously voted to ban outdoor marijuana crops after hearing from law enforcement officials who said the region has seen an explosion of grow sites.
The Sacramento Bee reports Sheriff Scott Jones told supervisors Tuesday that marijuana plants have increased throughout the county because of a lack of clarity in federal and state laws and inconsistent prosecution.
County aides and law enforcement showed numerous aerial photos of reported grow sites, including open space near a school and sports complex.
The new restrictions would apply to unincorporated Sacramento County and likely take effect in mid-June. The city of Sacramento already bans outdoor cultivation in residential areas, while Elk Grove prohibits all outdoor marijuana growth.
Some advocates for medical marijuana said law enforcement overstated the risks associated with growing pot.