Chowchilla adopts ban on smoking medical pot in public

The city of Chowchilla recently adopted an ordinance outlawing smoking medical marijuana in public.

The law limits smoking or any type of consumption of medical marijuana to inside a private residence and requires all cultivation to take place in an enclosed, locked area.

The ordinance states: "No smoke or odor resulting from such smoking, ingesting or consumption may be detected from any neighboring property or residence."

It's designed to limit theft and other crimes associated with marijuana, said Chowchilla City Attorney Tom Ebersole.

"There's nothing wrong with smoking medical marijuana as long as it's done in a private home, and growing is done in a locked area."

At least one medical marijuana prescription holder expressed concern about the ordinance.

"If a person's at home on their front porch, they should just leave them alone," said Allan Bradford, local resident and medical grower.

However, Bradford agreed that people shouldn't be allowed to smoke in parks and other public places.

"It shouldn't be any different than alcohol," he said. "You're not allowed to drink in public."

The City Council unanimously approved the ordinance at their last meeting, with no one speaking against it.

The ordinance goes into effect 30 days from when it was adopted.

Reporter Joshua Emerson Smith can be reached at (209) 385-2486 or jsmith@mercedsunstar.com.