Pubdate: Sat, 26 Sep 2015
Source: Mail Tribune, The (Medford, OR)
Copyright: 2015 The Mail Tribune
Contact:  http://www.mailtribune.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/642
Note: Only prints LTEs from within it's circulation area, 200 word count limit
Author: Stephen Floyd

MARIJUANA BACKERS PETITION TO OVERTURN BAN

Couple Behind Recall Launch Second Campaign

A local couple leading efforts to recall Klamath County Commissioner 
Tom Mallams have also started a petition for a referendum undoing a 
county ban on marijuana businesses.

Filed Wednesday by Ilo and Melissa Ferroggiaro, the petition would 
ask voters to compel the county to adhere to state statutes 
regulating marijuana businesses in place of a ban. If approved, it 
would appear on the May 17, 2016, primary election ballot.

"We don't want anything extra, we don't want anything special, we 
just want (commissioners) to adopt the rules the state voted on," 
said Ilo Ferroggiaro.

The petition for the referendum requires 914 signatures to be 
gathered within 90 days for approval. While Ilo Ferroggiaro could not 
say Friday how many signatures had been gathered so far, he believes 
they will have all they need well before deadline.

"Without counting, we would probably be there within a couple of 
days," he said.

Cannabis climate

The Ferroggiaros are owners of Laughing Lotus Farms, a medical 
marijuana business established shortly after the state legalized 
dispensaries in 2013. Ferroggiaro said the act of commissioners 
banning marijuana in the area would be akin to Napa County banning 
vineyards before the wine boom in the 1960s.

"Our weather here is perfect for growing cannabis," he said.

The county ban is scheduled to take effect in January, at which time 
the Ferroggiaros said they would no longer be legally allowed to 
continue growing and serving their patients.

Ilo Ferroggiaro said, if the referendum were to pass in May, it would 
allow himself and fellow growers time to begin planting for the 2016 
harvest season rather than wait another year to combat anti-marijuana 
legislation.

Recall referendum efforts

Melissa Ferroggiaro said those wishing to assist with either the 
recall of Mallams of the marijuana referendum are welcome to get in 
touch and volunteer.

"The faster we can get these signed, the faster we'll be at an 
election," she said.

Several local businesses have already offered to make petitions 
available at their locations, including Steel Sensations, Full Plate, 
Chick 'N' Dish, Nerds R Us, Basin Indoor Gardening, Downtown Dollar, 
Twisted Charm, Native Herbs Dispensary, A Better Way Medical 
Alternatives, Phil Studenberg law offices and High Desert Botanicals.

Those seeking more information are encouraged contact Laughing Lotus 
Farms at 541-591-0711, and may also look for Klamath for Cannabis on 
Facebook. For information on the attempt to recall Mallams, go to 
www.recalltommallams.webs.com.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom