Pubdate: Sat, 25 Oct 2014
Source: Porterville Recorder (CA)
Copyright: 2014 Freedom Communications Inc.
Contact: http://mapinc.org/url/AJm5UIc8
Website: http://www.recorderonline.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2887
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mmj.htm (Marijuana - Medicinal)

PRESSURE IS NOW ON THE MEDICAL MARIJUANA USERS

Now that the city has basically given local medical marijuana users
what they want, the pressure is on them to see to it that the city's
new medical marijuana growing ordinance is followed and there are no
problems with people illegally growing marijuana in their back yards.

The council has agreed to not only allow those who have a "letter of
recommend" from a doctor to use and grow their own marijuana, but to
grow as many as 20 plants. The council set the fee to get a permit at
the lowest recommended amount -- just $40 per user, which we feel it
too low.

Some proponents of medical marijuana use and growing still were not
pleased. First, they wanted to grow more than 20 plants, and second
they did not want to have to pay a fee.

Some council members have indicated they are going to watch how the
new ordinance works very carefully. While the recommendation was for
just 12 plants initially, the council settled on a very liberal
20-plant limit. That concerns us as to how attractive will 20 large,
budding plants be to thieves a year from now when marijuana is ready
for harvest.

We feel the number of plants being allowed could prove to be a safety
issue for those who grow the plants and their neighbors.
Unfortunately, there are far too many bad people who would rather
steal someone else's marijuana than grow their own.

Hopefully, the proponents will work to ensure that those who want to
now legally grow marijuana in the city follow the ordinance. They
should take responsibility to make sure the ordinance is safe and
effective for all residents, not just those who want to use medical
marijuana.

We will join those council members and watch how well people follow
the ordinance.
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MAP posted-by: Richard