Pubdate: Wed, 20 May 2015
Source: Porterville Recorder (CA)
Copyright: 2015 Freedom Communications Inc.
Contact: http://mapinc.org/url/AJm5UIc8
Website: http://www.recorderonline.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2887

COUNTY CONCERNED WITH MARIJUANA BILLS

Tulare County Supervisors Tuesday adopted what they termed "medical 
marijuana policy principles" in response to a slew of bills bouncing 
around Sacramento that could change the current laws governing the 
use and cultivation of marijuana in the state.

Debbie Vaughn with the Chief Administrator's Office told the board a 
committee had recently surveyed all the bills being talked about in 
the state Legislature and noted, "the belief is there will be some 
ballot measures in the next election."

The purpose was to keep the county up-to-date on what is being 
considered so it can react to any serious legislation.

She explained that instead of taking a stand on individuals bills the 
committee, which included two supervisors, would come up with a set 
of principles Tulare County could share with state lawmakers if needed.

Key among those principles is local control, said Vaughn. She 
explained the county desires to maintain control over "ordinances 
regulating or banning the cultivation, processing, manufacturing, 
testing, transportation, distribution, provision, donation or sale of 
medical marijuana by individuals, primary caregivers, collectives, 
cooperatives or dispensaries."

The county also wants to maintain its ability to abate public 
nuisances and ensure its ability to enforce any new state regulations.

Tulare County has taken a strong stance against medical marijuana, 
banning nearly all dispensaries and limiting the cultivation of 
marijuana to a small area of the county, even if a person has a 
medical marijuana Letter of Recommend from a doctor. In other 
business, supervisors:

approved as part of the consent calendar salary increases and benefit 
improvements for unrepresented employees, county elected officials 
and the supervisors. The raise is 2 percent this year and next year, 
but while all others will see their pay increased immediately, the 
supervisors' pay increase will not go into effect for 60 days.

Approved numerous road projects, including Avenue 256 from road 180 
to 188; D238 from Avenue 124 to Teapot Dome Avenue; and Success Drive 
from Park to Conner streets.

Voted to establish a Tulare County Parks Advisory Committee to 
oversee improvements at the county's parks.

Named Tulare County Probation Officer Javier Gomez the 2014 Tulare 
County Employee of the Year.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom