Pubdate: Thu, 18 Aug 2016
Source: Porterville Recorder (CA)
Copyright: 2016 Freedom Communications Inc.
Contact: http://mapinc.org/url/AJm5UIc8
Website: http://www.recorderonline.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2887

EXTENDING POT ORDINANCE WAS NEEDED

A s some areas of the Golden State already seem to be embracing the 
marijuana industry, thankfully Tulare County continues to follow the 
law and awaits further legislation.

On Tuesday, the county Board of Supervisors again passed an interim 
ordinance blocking the growing and dispensing of medical marijuana 
and basically thwarting any attempts for someone to set up a growing 
operation in the county in preparation should the state's voters pass 
a measure in November which will legalize cannabis.

There is so much uncertainty and still so much illegal activity 
surrounding marijuana - medical or not - we support the moratorium on 
opening up new cooperatives or collectives to distribute medical 
marijuana because the regulations are still far too lax.

Also, while the growing of marijuana remains illegal, we still see 
hundreds of illegal marijuana gardens, even in the city of 
Porterville where residents with a medical card can grow up to 12 
plants. Evidently, 12 plants is not enough as police have destroyed 
many gardens where far more than 12 plants were growing.

Some politicians, including one of the major candidates for governor 
in 2018, are endorsing the marijuana initiative and in Sacramento 
some lawmakers are already working to legalize the growing and 
selling of marijuana in anticipation of the measure passing.

Even should the voters pass the initiative, we do not see the 
landscape here change a whole lot. There will be still be those who 
will break the law in growing marijuana illegally and those selling 
it. Because of the taxes placed on marijuana, the black market will 
continue to flourish because marijuana is so easy to grow and produce.

It may take several years before marijuana becomes common place and 
easily regulated, and because Tulare County is already being eyed as 
a good location to grow marijuana, the county supervisors need to 
keep this ordinance in place until the laws are in agreement, and 
that includes the federal government which is not helping to clear the air.

While the Obama administration announced this week even less 
enforcement of marijuana laws, making medical marijuana legal on a 
federal level was continued.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom