Pubdate: Sat, 03 Aug 2013
Source: Merced Sun-Star (CA)
Copyright: 2013 Merced Sun-Star
Contact: http://www.mercedsunstar.com/284
Website: http://www.mercedsunstar.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2546

ORDINANCE COULD CURTAIL BIG POT GROWS

The Merced County Board of Supervisors is considering a 
medical-marijuana ordinance in an effort to better combat large 
marijuana growing operations.

The county follows state law on allowable amounts of medical 
marijuana, which is a maximum of six mature or 12 immature marijuana 
plants, in addition to 8 ounces of finished product.

The proposed ordinance sought by the Sheriff's Department would limit 
the cultivation of medical marijuana to 12 plants regardless of the 
property's size, whether it's indoor or outdoor, or the maturity of the plants.

It also would carry stiffer civil and criminal penalties, including 
abatement at the owner's expense, an administrative procedure 
resulting in penalties or a misdemeanor charge resulting in six 
months in jail and-or a $1,000 fine.

Chairwoman and District 4 Supervisor Deidre Kelsey said the county 
previously has not placed regulations on medical marijuana, 
attracting some growers who have used their operations for illegal 
financial gains rather than medicinal purposes as outlined in the 
state's Compassionate Care Act.

The sheriff, other county law enforcement officials and supervisors 
have correctly identified this problem.

Large marijuana growing operations go far beyond what voters intended 
when they approved Proposition 215. They are strictly for-profit, too 
often associated with gangs and pose a serious threat to those living nearby.

Law enforcement officials have consistently been called upon to raid 
large-scale grows that cover not only entire back yards, but 
sometimes many acres. While some of these grows are tucked away in 
remote corners of the county, all too often they are put at homes 
throughout the area.

The drug dealing, theft, burglary and other criminal activity that 
springs from these operations is a serious threat to public safety. 
Shootings and homicides have been reported as a result of 
home-invasion robberies carried out by criminals trying to rip off 
those growing the marijuana - sometimes targeting the wrong residences.

Gangs are typically associated with these drug enterprises and use 
the proceeds to support other illegal activities. Many officials have 
linked the large grows to Mexican drug cartels - easier to grow it 
here than transport it across the border.

Law enforcement needs an ordinance that will allow them to more 
effectively combat these large marijuana-growing operations. The 
Sun-Star supports the proposed ordinance for that reason.

People who have a legitimate, documented medical reason for growing 
marijuana don't need a back yard full of plants. They can grow what 
they need under the proposed ordinance.

Some in law enforcement have suggested that banning all outdoor 
growing operations might be a better approach. That's still an option 
for the county if the proposed ordinance proves ineffective.

But what's being proposed seems like a reasonable step. It shouldn't 
threaten legitimate medical marijuana uses but should make those 
behind large-scale grows think twice about coming to Merced County.

And if not, then a more restrictive approach is always an option.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom