Pubdate: Thu, 24 Sep 2015
Source: Sacramento News & Review (CA)
Column: The 420
Copyright: 2015 Chico Community Publishing, Inc.
Contact:  http://newsreview.com/sacto/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/540
Author: Ngaio Bealum

WAITING FOR GOVERNOR

Have you had a chance to look into Assembly Bills 266 and 243 yet? 
What do you think?

- -Eric

As of last Friday afternoon, Gov. Jerry Brown had yet to sign the 
bills. He has until October 11 to sign. However, many cities and 
jurisdictions are acting in anticipation of these bills passing. 
Humboldt County is working on a plan to regulate large scale grows. 
Long Beach is coming up with a new medical marijuana plan based on 
these new rules.

Looking at the bills more closely, it would seem that the government 
is giving people time to get their shit together: The bills don't 
take effect until January 2016. The businesses that can prove they've 
been open for a while will receive priority in the line for licenses. 
There's also some other stuff in there that goes all the way until 
2023. Read the bills at http://tinyurl.com/read243 and at 
http://tinyurl.com/read266. One of the coolest things in the bills is 
that they will create geographical appellations for growing regions. 
If you thought weed from Humboldt or Mendocino County was popular 
now, just wait. Humboldt County is the Napa Valley of weed. That 
appellation will carry weight. We will see if the governor signs the bill.

Do you think the recent fires will affect the outdoor cannabis crop this year?

- -Smokie DeBaar

First, I would like to take the time to send thoughts and prayers and 
condolences to all of the victims of these devastating wildfires in 
California and Oregon. May everyone stay safe and receive the help 
they need in these tough times. I have a friend that lost a 50-acre 
farm, and I have heard of plenty of farms in Placer, Lake and Butte 
counties that have been either destroyed by fire or contaminated by 
the planes dropping fire retardant all over everywhere. Linda Lepp, 
Eddy Lepp's ex-wife, lost everything in the Lake County Fire. (Eddy 
is serving 10 years in federal prison for cannabis cultivation. The 
judge herself called Eddy's sentence unjust, but said her hands were 
tied by the law.) Linda has set up a Gofundme 
(www.gofundme.com/ku4394pw) to raise some money for rent and clothes. 
Please help her if you can.

That being said, I don't think the fall harvest will be super small. 
Hundreds of farms all over the state are still going strong. Humboldt 
and Mendocino should have some great flowers, and I expect Fresno 
County (despite the county's ridiculous ban) to have great weed this 
year too. Small digression: High Times magazine is throwing a medical 
cannabis cup in Lemoore (it's between Coalinga and Visalia, just next 
to Hanford) this coming Halloween weekend. I think it will be a great 
time. And it will be fun to see a big time cannabis event outside of 
the larger metropolitan areas. Back to the subject: I don't expect 
prices to spike, but I don't think pounds will be crazy-cheap either. 
Have a happy harvest, everyone!
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom