Pubdate: Mon, 11 Nov 2013
Source: Chico Enterprise-Record (CA)
Copyright: 2013 Chico Enterprise-Record
Contact:  http://www.chicoer.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/861
Author: Roger H. Aylworth

MARIJUANA ORDINANCE REVIEW COULD BE MARATHON SESSION FOR BUTTE SUPERVISORS

OROVILLE - Butte County officials are predicting a marathon session
for Tuesday's Board of Supervisors meeting, when the panel considers
possible revision to the county's medical marijuana cultivation ordinance.

Paul Hahn, Butte's chief administrative officer, said he expects a
standing-room-only crowd when the timed item comes up at 10:30 a.m.

Hahn also said if things go as they have in the past when medical
marijuana cultivation rules have come before the board, the public
comment could go on for hours.

Tuesday's discussion is the second time in a month the ordinance has
been on the board's agenda.

During the Oct. 22nd meeting the supervisors conducted an official
review of the county's medical marijuana cultivation ordinance that
was passed in February.

During the October meeting the board tentatively approved amendments
to the existing code.

One of the provisionally approved amendments would require that the
official grower of a medicinal garden must live on the property in a
legal residence with all the county-required permits in place.

Another change would eliminate the rule that prohibits anyone who
doesn't live within a certain distance from filing any complaints
about a a marijuana grow.

Another proposed change in the ordinance would cut in half the number
of plants that would be allowed on any size parcel.

Under the existing rules parcels of 20 acres or more could legally
hold up to 99 plants. Under provisions of the amendment authored by
Chico Supervisor Maureen Kirk the maximum number of plants allowed
would be 48.

Parcels of more than 10 acres, but less than 20, would be allowed 33
plants under the amendment as opposed to 66 under the existing rules.

The board also voted to cease to differentiate between mature and
juvenile plants. Under the current rules the growers are allowed to
have more immature plants to give them time to identify the female
plants from the males. Only female plants generate usable material for
cannabis.

Board members said that provision of the current rule is unnecessary
because growers can almost be guaranteed to have exclusively female
versions to plant.

Another proposed change to the current ordinance would hike civil
penalties for violations of the rules to $500 per day for the first
offense and $1,000 per day for following offenses.

Anyone can speak during the public comment portion of the hearing, but
in the past board chair, Oroville Supervisor Bill Connelly has put
strict time limits on how long an individual can speak.

No matter what votes are taken on Tuesday, proposed amendments to the
ordinance will have to come back before the board one more time before
they can become officially adopted.

The general session will begin at 9 a.m. Tuesday.
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MAP posted-by: Matt