Pubdate: Tue, 23 Jun 2009
Source: Contra Costa Times (CA)
Copyright: 2009 Knight Ridder
Contact:  http://www.contracostatimes.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/96
Author: Geoff Johnson, DN Staff Writer

TEHAMA COUNTY BOARD MAY GET TOUGHER ON POT

Tehama County will today consider an ordinance that  would tighten
local medical marijuana restrictions.

Medical marijuana has been legal in California since  1996, and allows
the possession of 12 immature  marijuana plants, six mature plants or
half-a-pound of  dried, processed marijuana if the person in question 
has a doctor's recommendation.

Counties are not allowed to pass guidelines that lower  these amounts,
but can raise the limit or pass other  ordinances related to the
cultivation of marijuana.

The ordinance is scheduled to be introduced by  Supervisor Bob
Williams and is based on a similar  ordinance in Mendocino County.

It would limit licensed medical marijuana users to 25  plants while
requiring marijuana gardens to be  surrounded by a six-foot fence and
located no less than  1,000 feet from schools or day care centers,
school bus  stops and other places where minors gather.

It would require marijuana harvesters to register with  the county
Public Health Department.

Licensed patients growing out of compliance would  receive a 14-day
notice requiring them to comply, after  which the county could destroy
the garden and charge  the owner with the expense involved.

Growers would have the option of appealing the notice  in writing, if
they reply within 10 days.

Williams said he drafted the ordinance after complaints  from district
residents who lived near a large growing  co-op.

With no county ordinances regarding the growth of marijuana, there is 
nothing to restrict medical marijuana patients from  growing massive
gardens.

He also cited the January shooting of Clarence Puckett,  who, along
with his wife, had been growing marijuana in  a Los Molinos residence.

Several suspects, including a 17-year-old boy,  allegedly broke in and
demanded money and marijuana  before killing Puckett and stealing
several pounds of  marijuana.

By requiring increased security and moving the  facilities away from
children, medical marijuana theft  will be less likely, Williams said.

In addition to the potential for theft, Williams'  ordinance mentions
the higher amounts of electricity  associated with indoor growth and
the potential for  improper pesticide disposal as reasons for keeping
a  list of medical marijuana gardens.

The supervisors meet at 10 a.m. today at 727 Oak St.

More information, including a copy of the ordinance, is  available by
calling 527-4655 or visiting  www.co.tehama.ca.us .
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MAP posted-by: Richard R Smith Jr