Confusion over Fresno City Council's direction on marijuana had activists hopeful change was coming

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- With Councilmember Paul Caprioglio out Thursday, the Fresno City Council deadlocked on an item restricting home cultivation of marijuana to six plants.

"We were able to kill that item today. It could always come back," said Clint Olivier, Council President.

Olivier tweeted, "Fresno City Council kills marijuana ban. Dies on 3 to 3 vote." Which drew sharp criticism from Councilmember Garry Bredefeld.

"Unfortunately we had our Council President put out a fake tweet that said the City Council banned its ban," said Bredefeld. "It's unfortunate. It's not very professional. It misled a lot of people."

Bredefeld wanted to clarify the issue.

"It was solely about cultivation-- putting a restriction on six plants, growing it indoors. It had nothing to do with the recreational dispensaries. They've been banned."

The issue of marijuana dispensaries in Fresno is expected to be re-visited before November.

Bredefeld said a full council vote on cultivation comes in two weeks and he expects a four to three vote in support of the ban.

But Olivier hopes other councilmembers see the advantage in regulating cannabis.

"This is one way to capture some tax revenue, a considerable amount of tax revenue so that we can provide better services for our constituents."

Olivier said if the city prohibits marijuana it will foster a black market run by criminal gangs.

Thursday's vote was not an all-encompassing one-- it dealt specifically with cultivation and will be brought up again in two weeks.