Pubdate: Wed, 11 Jul 2012
Source: Appeal-Democrat (Marysville, CA)
Copyright: 2012 Appeal-Democrat
Contact: 
http://www.appeal-democrat.com/sections/services/forms/editorletter.php
Website: http://www.appeal-democrat.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1343
Author: Ben van der Meer

YUBA COUNTY ENDS MEDICAL POT PANEL; LAWSUITS LOOM

Signaling the discussion over medical marijuana is moving from board 
rooms to court rooms, Yuba County supervisors Tuesday formally 
suspended an ad hoc committee formed to discuss the issue with growers.

Though input from the committee helped improve an ordinance adopted 
by the county earlier this year, a lawsuit filed by growers last week 
to get the ordinance tossed makes further meetings inappropriate, 
said committee member and Supervisor Mary Jane Griego.

"We did give it a best effort to try and understand this issue 
better," she said.

Her comments came as the board approved on a 5-0 vote a second 
reading of amendments to the ordinance, providing clearer language on 
where growing is allowed.

Though representatives for growers attended the meeting, none spoke. 
Plaintiffs filed a civil complaint asking the ordinance to be thrown 
out, claiming, among other things, a lack of clarity on collective 
and cooperative grows could deny some users their prescriptions.

The plaintiffs have also said they plan to file for a temporary 
injunction today in Yuba County Superior Court to prevent the 
ordinance from being enforced. Supervisors announced they had voted 
5-0 during their closed session to refer the suit to outside counsel. 
Under the ordinance, medical marijuana cardholders are limited in how 
many plants they can grow by the size of the parcel on which they 
live, with additional requirements to shield the plants from public view.

Supervisors adopted the ordinance after hearing dozens of complaints 
from residents living next to growers, though many growers said 
nonusers and the county don't understand the necessity for medical marijuana.

Griego, who had previously encouraged the board to take more time in 
adopting an ordinance to make it more comprehensive, said Tuesday she 
still believes the ordinance is a work in progress.

"This ordinance is going to adjust, whether with our actions or court 
actions," she said. The county might want to consider changes in the 
fall, after growers have completed their annual harvest, she said.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom