THE WESTMINSTER CITY COUNCIL is set to take a final vote on rules regulating the personal cultivation of marijuana on Wednesday,

The second – and presumably final – vote on city regulations regarding the personal cultivation of marijuana will go before the Westminster City Council when it meets on Wednesday, Jan. 17.

The first reading and approval – accompanied by an urgency ordinance that took effect immediately – was approved on Dec. 13.

While the personal use of “pot” is legal in California under Proposition 64, cities have the power to regulate its sale and cultivation. People growing marijuana for personal consumption may have as many as six plants. Westminster’s ordinance puts in place these rules:

• a cultivation permit from the city is required, with associated fees. City workers have the right to inspect property that’s been issued a permit;
• cultivation is allowed only within fully enclosed structures not accessible to minors;
• only one cultivation area is allowed;
• those under 18 should not have access to the area;
• the cultivation area can’t exceed 25 square feet;
• ventilation must prevent marijuana smoke or odors from annoying the neighbors;
• city taxes on marijuana must be paid.

Westminster does not allow the commercial sale of recreational marijuana.

Also, the council will consider a request from the Garden Grove Unified School District to hang banners along Brookhurst Street in Westminster honoring the academic accomplishments of GGUSD students.

The six banners would be on display from January to May between Hazard and McFadden avenues. While the GGUSD is headquartered in Garden Grove, it serves a large slice of Westminster. There are four GGUSD elementary schools within Westminster city limits, along with one intermediate school and one high school. Five thousand of the 43,000 students in the GGUSD reside in Westminster.

The council meets in its chambers at 8200 Westminster Boulevard with a closed session at 6 p.m. and the regular session at 7 p.m.