Pubdate: Tue, 05 Feb 2013
Source: Chico Enterprise-Record (CA)
Copyright: 2013 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
Authors: Jessica Allen and Kelly Meagher

SUPERVISORS SHOULD RESPECT ELECTION LAW

On Feb. 12, the Butte County Board of Supervisors will consider a new 
medical-marijuana ordinance. Last June, the voters of Butte County 
rejected a similar growing ordinance by an overwhelming majority. It 
failed in every supervisor district, in every city, and in the 
unincorporated areas. It appears that this fact has been forgotten.

One of the most fundamental rights of a citizen of California is the 
right to petition the government for a redress of grievances. That's 
what a referendum is all about. Attempting to pass this ordinance 
violates California Elections Code Section 9241, which clearly states 
that if "a majority of the voters voting on the ordinance do not vote 
in favor of it, the ordinance shall not again be enacted by the 
legislative body for a period of one year."

If the Board of Supervisors cannot see the justice in waiting the 
full calendar year required by law before passing a similar 
ordinance, we will have no choice but to use the many political and 
legal options at our disposal to ensure that the rights of Butte 
County citizens are not trampled.

- - Jessica Allen and Kelly Meagher, Chico
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom