Pubdate: Tue, 16 Aug 2016
Source: Chico Enterprise-Record (CA)
Copyright: 2016 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: Denise M. Hopper

GROWING POT IMPACTS SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENT

Please join me in opposing Measure L scheduled for the November ballot.

My issue with marijuana is not whether smoking it is good or bad. 
What I care about is the impact of growing marijuana has on the 
personal safety and health of our citizens, the local water supply 
and the environment.

In July, there was a double homicide related to marijuana growing in 
my neighborhood. The violence was not isolated to the actual property 
upon which the grow was located. The homes of our neighbors were hit 
by stray bullets during the shootout between the growers and perpetrators.

In addition, my husband and a neighbor have both been threatened 
multiple times with physical harm by people growing marijuana. I and 
others in our previously quiet rural area do not feel safe walking in 
our own neighborhood due to the violence, threats and unsavory people 
attracted to the grows.

Measure L would let anyone grow marijuana from a 100-square-foot 
personal and 500-square-foot "caregiver" grow up to 25 percent of a 
parcel (capped at one acre). With water in such short supply, why 
would growing plants that require up to six gallons of water per 
plant per day be encouraged?

Measure L isn't on the ballot to help those who need medical 
marijuana. It is on the ballot for one reason - greed. Vote no on Measure L.

- - Denise M. Hopper, Oroville
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom