Pubdate: Thu, 26 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

SUTTER COUNTY IN HAZE ABOUT MEDICAL POT

A day after Sutter County supervisors narrowly turned down a proposed 
nuisance ordinance for medical marijuana, board members on both sides 
of the issue said they would still like to see something happen.

Supervisor Larry Munger, who supported the ordinance, said he has a 
simple solution when someone calls him to complain about a neighbor's 
grow site: Give them phone numbers for the supervisors who opposed 
the proposal.

"I have a lot of constituents who were really counting on this 
ordinance," said Munger, who with Supervisor Stan Cleveland supported 
the ordinance, which had been discussed and revised at a series of 
hearings. "I don't know what happened, personally."

But Supervisor Jim Whiteaker, who with supervisors Larry Montna and 
James Gallagher voted against the ordinance, said he's working with 
Sutter County Sheriff J. Paul Parker to come up with an ordinance he 
can support.

The rejected ordinance allowed for far too many marijuana plants to 
be grown, Whiteaker said, and he couldn't support that.

"I have spoken today with Sheriff Parker, and will be working 
directly with him to propose an ordinance that will meet the needs of 
the individuals with medical marijuana cards, will meet the needs of 
law enforcement, and will address the nuisance issues of smells and 
proximity of marijuana gardens to schools, recreational areas, and 
child care facilities," Whiteaker said in an email.

He said his proposed ordinance would allow no more than 12 mature 
plants, regardless of the size of the parcel they were grown on; 
additional requirements for growing either indoors or in a filtrated 
greenhouse; required setbacks from neighboring properties; and 
residency for all medicinal card holders.

In introducing the ordinance on Tuesday at the supervisors meeting, 
interim County Administrative Officer Shawne Corley said she would 
later introduce an ordinance to establish a card program for those 
legally able to use medicinal marijuana.

Sutter County is one of the last counties in the state to adopt such 
a program, after court rulings determined counties had an obligation to do so.

But after the ordinance's rejection, the card issue is considered on 
hold as well, said county spokesman Chuck Smith.

"At this time, the chief administrative officer's office does not 
intend to bring medical marijuana up again," he said.

But Munger said without an ordinance, the issue will come up again.

"We've got to have something with teeth," he said, adding he believes 
an ordinance would also curb those who are growing for reasons other 
than medicinal. "The city's got one, Live Oak's got one, everybody's got one."
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