Pubdate: Tue, 21 Jan 2014 Source: Chico Enterprise-Record (CA) Copyright: 2014 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 SUPERVISORS DO THE LOGICAL THING The proposed new marijuana restrictions are a natural reaction to an industry that took advantage of voters' benign nature. We've been arguing for months that Butte County needs to do more to protect rural landowners from the dangers and other impacts of large-scale marijuana growing. Last week, the Board of Supervisors did just that. In fact, the supervisors went far beyond any restrictions we advocated or imagined. They went from one extreme to another, from an immensely lenient policy to a very restrictive one. The county that now allows up to 99 marijuana plants on large parcels would allow roughly six adult plants in a 150-square-foot growing space on the largest parcels. Lots that are a half-acre or less would not be allowed to grow at all, while parcels between a half-acre and 5 acres would be allowed 50 square feet of growing space, which would be an estimated two large plants. The proposed new restrictions, which still need final approval, make sense. This is medical marijuana, after all, and no patient needs 99 plants. Instead, the permissive law enticed growers to start "co-operatives," and you can bet the considerable excess of pot went to sales, not patients in the co-op. In addition to the proposed limits on the square footage of gardens, larger setbacks from neighbors would be required and anybody could complain about plantations that didn't follow the rules. This comes on the heels of restrictions enacted by the supervisors last month that would require a real structure on the land - a building with plumbing and electricity, rather than just a tent or a trailer. The supervisors, with the exception of Chico's Larry Wahl, have seemed reticent to tighten the rules they invented. They had no choice, as residents made it clear they don't want Butte County to become a pot-growing haven for large-scale sellers. This is no longer about giving granny her medicine. The new rules would restore a hint of sanity and protection to residents who don't want to live next to pot plantations. Several cities and counties have tightened restrictions on the number of plants allowed. Some, like Fresno County, have banned it outright. But medical marijuana advocates seem intent on making sure the supervisors don't have the last word. They're trying to get a referendum on the ballot that would keep the more indulgent laws now in effect. It would be an interesting election. Californians are becoming more open to the idea of legalizing marijuana, but part of the reason for that is self-preservation. Large plantations growing an illegal product mean sketchy activity near those operations. Some people want legalization just so this product can be regulated and taxed. The question about growing, however, is entirely different. The choice before voters will be simple: If growing marijuana remains illegal, is two to six marijuana plants enough for a household, or should operations up to 99 plants be allowed? We think county residents will realize they were duped last time and approve the proposed new restrictions. - --- MAP posted-by: Jo-D