Pubdate: Thu, 14 Jan 2016
Source: Appeal-Democrat (Marysville, CA)
Copyright: 2016 Appeal-Democrat
Contact: 
https://appeal-democrat-dot-com.bloxcms-ny1.com/site/forms/online_services/letter/
Website: http://www.appeal-democrat.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1343

NEVADA COUNTY SUPERVISORS BAN OUTDOOR MARIJUANA GROWS

The Nevada County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday voted 4-to-1 to 
implement an urgency ordinance that immediately prohibits outdoor 
marijuana grows and limits the number of indoor medicinal plants.

The board also voted 4-to-1 to place the issue on the June 7 ballot, 
giving county voters the option to uphold or discard that ordinance.

Supervisor Richard Anderson, who represents eastern Nevada County, 
opposed both votes.

The vote on Sheriff Keith Royal's recommended ordinance, which allows 
only civil penalties such as fines, came after some five hours of 
public comment. The sheriff and several others detailed reasons to 
ban outdoor cultivation - the pungent smell marijuana brings, as well 
as butane honey oil labs, water theft and wildlife concerns.

Opponents of the measure pointed to the economic benefit medical 
marijuana brings to the county, noting they want to work within the law.

A vast majority of speakers opposed the sheriff's recommendation to 
prohibit outdoor grows as they spoke, one by one, to the board during 
the public comment period.

Forrest Hurd's voice broke slightly as he told the board about Silas, 
his 8-year-old son, who suffered over 500 seizures a month before 
using medical marijuana. The medicine, Hurd said, stopped nine out of 
10 of his son's seizures.

"I need this medicine to save my son's life," Hurd said. "This young 
man needs medicine."

Mark Johnson argued that banning outdoor grows will create criminals, 
increase the use of pesticides and cause more gunfights.

"We're not doing anything wrong," Johnson said. "We're doing it by 
the law. I need this drug. It's saving my life, and I can't do it indoors."

David Rice, with the Nevada County chapter of the California Growers 
Association, said a lack of regulations can lead some to exploit the 
system. Instead of banning outdoor grows, Rice suggested working with 
the board to develop regulations.

"Bans don't work," Rice said. "Bans don't solve problems."

- - The Grass Valley Union
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom