Pubdate: Wed, 19 Aug 2015 Source: Appeal-Democrat (Marysville, CA) Copyright: 2015 Appeal-Democrat Contact: http://www.appeal-democrat.com/sections/services/forms/editorletter.php Website: http://www.appeal-democrat.com Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1343 Author: Eric Vodden POT MEASURE OK TO CIRCULATE Petitions supporting a ballot measure to overturn Yuba County's medical marijuana cultivation ordinance have been cleared by election officials for circulation. Supporters of the initiative proposed by the Progressive Business Alliance have until Jan. 19 to gather 2,483 signatures of registered voters in the county to force a special election. That amount represents 20 percent of county votes cast in the November 2014 election. It is the third set of petitions Yuba County election officials have cleared in recent months, and it creates the possibility of three separate special elections prior to next June's primary. A fourth initiative seeking to allow marijuana dispensaries in the county is also awaiting approval for signature gathering. The Progressive Business Alliance initiative would replace an ordinance approved by county supervisors that bans outdoor marijuana cultivation in unincorporated Yuba County. The new regulations also limit indoor grows to 12 in a qualified accessory structure. The proposed nine-page initiative ordinance would instead allow six to 12 outdoor or indoor plants on less than an acre containing a residence. It would allow 18 plants on 1 to 5 acres, 36 plants on 5 to 20 acres and 60 plants on 20 or more acres and includes procedures for registration fees to help pay for enforcement costs. It also specifies that supervisors "cannot decrease at any time the permitted plant totals allowed in any category for parcels of any size." In a separate initiative efforts: Supporters have until Nov. 17 to submit petitions seeking a special election to halt the sale of groundwater outside of the county. The initiative was filed by two Camptonville residents who say pumping groundwater from the valley will lead to the depletion of the county's water resources. The deadline is Oct. 5 to turn in recall petitions seeking the ouster of Yuba County Supervisor Andy Vasquez. Supporters need 25 percent of registered voters living in Vasquez's 1st District to force a special election. - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom