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.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom