Pubdate: Thu, 09 Jun 2016 Source: Appeal-Democrat (Marysville, CA) Copyright: 2016 Appeal-Democrat Contact: https://appeal-democrat-dot-com.bloxcms-ny1.com/site/forms/online_services/letter/ Website: http://www.appeal-democrat.com Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1343 OUTDOOR POT BAN FAILS IN NEVADA COUNTY Measure W, the contentious Nevada County outdoor marijuana ban initiative that dominated the primary election, appears headed for defeat. The measure was losing 15,845 to 11,585 votes, or 58 to 42 percent, with 80 of 80 precincts reporting on Tuesday night. More votes remain to be counted. "It's unbelievable," said Jonathan Collier, chairman of the Nevada County California Growers Association. "It's really amazing. This creates the opportunity that we've been hoping for." Forrest Hurd, the father of a boy with intractable epilepsy who Hurd says is helped by medical cannabis, praised the vote. "Now we can move forward, protecting our land, protecting our rivers," Hurd said. Measure W, if passed, would have implemented a voter-approved outdoor medical marijuana grow ban and limited indoor grows to 12 plants. It would have restricted growers to qualified patients or their caregivers, and prohibited all commercial marijuana activity. Supervisor Dan Miller, chairman of the Board of Supervisors, is a strong supporter of Measure W. "If W does fail, we're obligated and we've already told people we'll lift the ban after the vote is certified," Miller said. "They ran a very aggressive, organized campaign," Miller said of W's opponents. Measure W became the top issue for many voters across Nevada County. Opponents of the ban crowded into the Board of Supervisors' chambers on Jan. 12, when supervisors implemented the existing ban and put Measure W on the ballot. Opponents again filled chambers when supervisors passed a resolution of intent that states they'd rescind their ban if Measure W failed and work with stakeholders on creating new grow regulations. The measure also led Hurd to challenge the ballot initiative in court. He succeeded in forcing the county to rewrite its impartial analysis of the measure, though the initiative remained on the ballot. Money began pouring into political committees on both sides of the issue, leading to advertisements and signs across the county. Complaints of sign theft quickly became common on social media sites like Facebook. Some people began posting photos, alleging they caught a thief in the act. - -The Grass Valley Union - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom