Pubdate: Wed, 04 Jun 2014 Source: Visalia Times-Delta, The (CA) Copyright: 2014 The Visalia Times-Delta Contact: http://www.visaliatimesdelta.com/customerservice/contactus.html Website: http://www.visaliatimesdelta.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2759 Author: David Castellon Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?115 (Cannabis - California) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mmj.htm (Cannabis - Medicinal) SUPERVISORS GOING FORWARD WITH MARIJUANA-GROWING BAN The Tulare County Board of Supervisors has directed county staff to develop an ordinance amendment that would ban growing of marijuana anywhere in the unincorporated parts of the county. Tulare County already has an ordinance that requires, among other things, that medical marijuana has to be grown inside a locked building with a roof. On Tuesday, the board considered two possible amendments, one of which would have banned collectives and cooperatives from growing the plants but would have permitting individuals to grow their own medical marijuana or allowing caregivers to do it for them. Instead, the supervisors voted unanimously to go with the other option, a ban on all types of medical marijuana growing. Board Chairman Phil Cox noted that the ban doesn't apply to cooperative-run distribution centers. In 1996, California voters passed the Compassionate Care Act, which allows growing and consumption or smoking of marijuana to treat the effects of numerous illnesses and injuries in lieu of other medications. But counties and cities can regulate marijuana growing and distribution to patients. At least two people at Tuesday's regular board meeting who said they use medical marijuana urged the members not to impose the restrictions. The ordinance change isn't in effect yet. The county Planning Commission first will review the proposed change, probably in late June, and hold a public hearing before deciding if the amendment should go forward is or suggest changes before the supervisors vote on whether to approve it. - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom