I urge Butte County voters to vote yes on Propositions G and H. Let me tell you from our experience, if you have someone move into your area and start a marijuana grow, you may be seriously affected. It is difficult to convey how horrible it was a few years ago when a renter moved into the neighborhood and all of the neighbors had to deal with the horrible stench for months, along with numerous shady characters always "stopping by." The Board of Supervisors have since passed ordinances to regulate the amount of marijuana plants that can be legally grown (very generous amounts), but problems with the enforcement allowed many growers last year to stall and otherwise avoid obeying the regulations. Passing Proposition G and H will stop the loopholes and force the scofflaws to abide by the law. Growers who obey the regulations should have no reason to vote against them. - - Don Dunbar, Chico [end]
Your editorial regarding medical marijuana was right on. We have been subjected to a horrible nuisance and public safety nightmare with renter neighbors growing 50 huge plants on a half-acre lot. The skunk-like odor is unbelievably bad, so strong that we were unable to leave our windows open. The public safety risk is very serious and has been well-documented locally. It was shocking to find that this operation was legal. The pot-growing neighbors are all young and healthy but apparently have many friends with marijuana "prescriptions" and are allowed to grow for all of them as a collective. [continues 154 words]
