In January county code compliance officers investigating a land-use violation found 82 marijuana plants growing and being stored on the property in the 5800 block of Olive Drive.

County code only allows for a total of 12 plants being cultivated at one time per parcel. There were 34 plants on one parcel and 48 on another parcel. The next day the tenant disposed of the additional plants in accordance with county codes.

Lawyers for the property owner argued that the county imposing such a high fine is superfluous, because they are accounting for each plant over what is allowed, totaling $58,000.

County supervisors said that amount of medical marijuana at one location is a public nuisance, but lawyers for the property owner said they are just making an example of their client.

The property owner and the tenant are related. There was some discussion by the board about whether the property owner should be held financially responsible for the fines.

This is the second time in recent months the board has made a similar decision about marijuana being cultivated in which the tenants were related to the property owners. In both cases, the board agreed that the property owner should be held responsible.