DEAR PROBE
What are rules for growing marijuana?
Prop 64 passed, so will a person be able to grow marijuana at home for their own personal use? — Resident, Brawley
It’s a bit confusing but we’ve published articles in regard to this new law. It’s already legal for adults over the age of 21 to grow up to six plants of marijuana and smoke it inside their home due to the passage of Proposition 64. The proposition also allows for the consumption of marijuana inside a business licensed for on-site marijuana consumption, all this for only adults 21 and older.
It’s also legal to carry up to 28.5 grams of marijuana and 8 grams of concentrated marijuana.
It’s still illegal to smoke marijuana while operating a vehicle or to drive under the influence of marijuana. It will be treated as a DUI.
It’s also illegal to smoke marijuana anywhere that it’s illegal to smoke regular tobacco like in public places.
It’s also important to remember that marijuana is still illegal under federal law, which does not distinguish between medicinal or recreational use. Therefore, you still run the risk of a fine or arrest by federal agents if you are caught with any amount of marijuana.
Each city in the Imperial Valley, however, has some different laws in regard to Proposition 64 — a city can regulate some things in regards to the proposition.
Since you live in Brawley, we’ll focus on that city.
Brawley hasn’t made any new ordinances regarding the cultivation of the plant. For example, in El Centro the city recently banned the cultivation of the plant outside of any home.
Basically that means you can’t grow the plant in your backyard. However, state law still allows you to grow it inside your home and no city resolution can ban that.
Brawley hasn’t passed any resolution on whether you can grow in your backyard, and again, that’s limited to six plants, per state law.
But the city is expected to take action on that soon. It could vote to ban the outside cultivation of the plant, meaning your backyard.
Either way, you can still grow it inside your home — limited to six plants.
If you do, be mindful that police departments have said they believe growing marijuana in your backyard could lead to higher property crimes.
For more articles on the proposition go to our website www.ivpressonline.com