Pubdate: Mon, 09 Nov 2015 Source: Chico Enterprise-Record (CA) Copyright: 2015 Chico Enterprise-Record Contact: http://www.chicoer.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/861 Note: Letters from newspaper's circulation area receive publishing priority Author: Ryan Olson BUTTE COUNTY SUPERVISORS TO HEAR PRESENTATION ON IMPACT OF NEW MEDICAL MARIJUANA LAWS Oroville - Following the recent approval of state rules on the cultivation and distribution of medical marijuana, the Butte County Board of Supervisors will hear a presentation on the laws' impact on the county. On Tuesday, Paul Smith, senior legislative advocate with the Rural County Representatives of California, and Karen Keene, senior legislative representative from the California State Association of Counties, will discuss the new regulatory framework for medical marijuana. While the state laws establish rules and licensing for cultivating, dispensing and delivering cannabis, county officials have said the law also allows local jurisdictions, including counties, to control or ban the activity. In previous meetings, supervisors have questioned how the new laws would work with the county's Measure A ordinance setting marijuana growing areas based on lot size. The ordinance was actively enforced this year following its approval by voters in 2014. Officials have discussed making changes to the ordinance, but the proposals are geared toward streamlining the abatement process. According to the CSAC presentation included with the agenda, the law doesn't supercede or limit enforcement of local policies. Further, people seeking a state license may not submit an application if the proposed use violates local rules or zoning. If an applicant obtains a state license, it can't be used until the applicant obtains whatever local permit or license that is needed. Licensees must also submit to a state background check. There are exemptions for personal and caregiver grows, but local rules still apply. The presentation notes that mobile deliveries from licensed dispensaries are allowed by default unless prohibited by local ordinance. When it comes to enforcing the state laws, the presentation notes cities may be able to enforce the regulations for facilities within city limits. However, counties do not have explicit authority. The presentation also appears to touch on other aspects of the law, including efforts to regulate waste that may be generated by cannabis grows. The new law treats marijuana cultivation as agriculture, although the county currently doesn't allow growing in agricultural areas. The presentation may also look at other pending bills in the Legislature, including proposals to tax cultivation and set up a state credit union so the cannabis industry can access banking services. There is also an acknowledgement that California voters will likely vote on at least one marijuana-related proposition next year. There are several proposals to allow the recreational use of marijuana in the state. The discussion is a timed item set to begin at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday. The meeting starts at 9 a.m. at the County Administration Building, 25 County Center Drive, Oroville. Meeting information is available at tinyurl.com/buttesupervisors. The board is also scheduled to consider: Approving the formation of the Butte County Tourism Business Improvement District, where hotel operators would collect a 2-percent fee from short-term lodgers to raise non-tax funds for tourism promotion. The board delayed making a decision last month to give the Gridley City Council additional time to consider joining. If Gridley fails to join, none of the money from the district can be used to promote the city, its attractions or facilities. Hearing a presentation from the Durham Friends of the Library. It has purchased two scanners to digitize and preserve Durham newspapers and other local information. A Chapman resident's request to remove a pine tree in the county right-of-way because its shade hinders his ability to install rooftop solar. County staff is recommending the board deny the request and provide guidance on future requests to remove healthy county trees. Submitting a letter objecting to the potential closure of some over-the-snow vehicle areas in the Plumas National Forest, including a 4,020-acre space in the Lakes Basin area. [sidebar] Know and Go What: Butte County Board of Supervisors meeting. When: 9 a.m., Tuesday. Where: County Administration Building, 25 County Center Drive, Oroville. Online: Meeting information, including agendas, is available at tinyurl.com/buttesupervisors. - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom