Pubdate: Mon, 30 Mar 2015
Source: Porterville Recorder (CA)
Copyright: 2015 Freedom Communications Inc.
Contact: http://mapinc.org/url/AJm5UIc8
Website: http://www.recorderonline.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2887

COUNTY RIGHT TO STAY WITH POT ORDINANCE

We were please to see the board of supervisors stay the course when 
it comes to curtailing the growing of marijuana in Tulare County. The 
board recently agreed to keep the ordinance in place which greatly 
restricts the growing of marijuana. It does not completely ban 
marijuana growing, but narrows down where it can legally be grown.

Marijuana growing both on private and public lands hit epidemic 
proportions three years ago. So blatant were the illegal growers, you 
could smell the illicit weed and often, it was very visible to 
neighbors or even passersby on roadways.

Three years ago, more than half a dozen homicides were tied to 
illegal grow sites and while the illegal growing of marijuana 
continues, it has been greatly curtailed, thanks to the ordinance.

Two years ago the county passed an ordinance prohibiting medical 
marijuana collectives, cooperatives and dispensaries and passed 
regulations limiting where marijuana can be grown. You cannot just 
grow it in your backyard in the county.

The medical marijuana law has created many headaches for law 
enforcement and officials as well. The initiative passed by voters in 
1996 was poorly written and left a lot to interpretation. Many have 
used the law to grow marijuana for sale, such as what was happening 
here three years ago.

Still, officials reported 460 illegal grow sites were found in Tulare 
County in the past year, with more than 80,000 plants destroyed.

County officials point to a drop in marijuana growing-related crimes, 
especially homicides. And, many county residents are living more 
safely because a large grow site is not next door to them.

At some point, the state Legislature will have to find the courage to 
come up with laws regulating medical marijuana and recreational 
marijuana. Until then, counties and cities are on their own to deal 
with the problem.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom