SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — Sacramento County supervisors are standing by their decision to label outdoor marijuana cultivation as a waste of water.
The board will maintain higher fines despite pushback from medical marijuana supporters.
Advocates say they are being unfairly singled out and the board should focus on larger water users.
The Board of Supervisors two weeks ago moved to categorize using water for outdoor marijuana growth as a waste of water.
Growers could face fines of up to $500 per day.
The board broadened the ordinance Tuesday to include additional water waste violations, but the measure will have the same practical effect on marijuana cultivation.
California Fish and Wildlife environmental scientist Scott Bauer says a single marijuana plant can use between 5 and 10 gallons per day.