Robert Celt
New Member
Revised marijuana ordinances were set to go into effect in Butte County on Thursday, but thousands of petitions against the new rules forced the county to put the ordinances on hold.
The Inland Cannabis Farmer's Association brought in petitions, signed by 14,000 people, which suspended the county supervisor approved amendments to the medical marijuana cultivation restrictions, known as Measure A.
"We'd like to talk before we fight," said Jessica Mackenzie with Inland Cannabis Farmer's Association. "We'd like to collaborate before we (bring) lawsuits and new laws and battle and so we took the first step to say 'let's talk about that.'"
Under the new rules, the county would no longer issue citations instead they would be fining immediately.
They would give violators 72 hours to address the violations and if they are not in compliance the fines would increase and be taken to court.
In addition, it would also label marijuana cultivation in the county as a non-agricultural operation.
"They've amended the enforcement portion and they've amended it in ways that we think conflict with due process and fairness and legality," Mackenzie said.
The county said the amendments approved by the board on January 26 are to create a more efficient process for enforcing Measure A.
Casey Hatcher, public information officer for Butte County, explained while the amendments are on hold, cultivation restrictions are still in effect.
"So 2015 was a great learning opportunity for the county as the code enforcement division of development services enforced the restrictions on cultivation of medical marijuana," Hatcher stated.
The petitions turned in nearly double the number actually needed to make the suspension.
The next step is to have the county clerk-recorder certify the signatures. If approved, then the amendments go back to the board of supervisors to be rescinded or sent to the voters in the June or November elections. If enough signatures cannot be certified the amendments will take effect immediately.
A similar situation happened in 2014 when supervisors passed an ordinance for restrictions on cultivation in medical marijuana.
The county received a referendum petition that was valid and the board chose to send the initiative to voters; that initiative was approved by voters in November of 2014 and became Measure A.
News Moderator: Robert Celt 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Butte Co, CA Petitions Suspend Amendments To Medical Marijuana Cultivation
Author: Cristina Davies and Stephanie Barnes
Contact: KRCR
Photo Credit: Glen Stubbe
Website: KRCR
The Inland Cannabis Farmer's Association brought in petitions, signed by 14,000 people, which suspended the county supervisor approved amendments to the medical marijuana cultivation restrictions, known as Measure A.
"We'd like to talk before we fight," said Jessica Mackenzie with Inland Cannabis Farmer's Association. "We'd like to collaborate before we (bring) lawsuits and new laws and battle and so we took the first step to say 'let's talk about that.'"
Under the new rules, the county would no longer issue citations instead they would be fining immediately.
They would give violators 72 hours to address the violations and if they are not in compliance the fines would increase and be taken to court.
In addition, it would also label marijuana cultivation in the county as a non-agricultural operation.
"They've amended the enforcement portion and they've amended it in ways that we think conflict with due process and fairness and legality," Mackenzie said.
The county said the amendments approved by the board on January 26 are to create a more efficient process for enforcing Measure A.
Casey Hatcher, public information officer for Butte County, explained while the amendments are on hold, cultivation restrictions are still in effect.
"So 2015 was a great learning opportunity for the county as the code enforcement division of development services enforced the restrictions on cultivation of medical marijuana," Hatcher stated.
The petitions turned in nearly double the number actually needed to make the suspension.
The next step is to have the county clerk-recorder certify the signatures. If approved, then the amendments go back to the board of supervisors to be rescinded or sent to the voters in the June or November elections. If enough signatures cannot be certified the amendments will take effect immediately.
A similar situation happened in 2014 when supervisors passed an ordinance for restrictions on cultivation in medical marijuana.
The county received a referendum petition that was valid and the board chose to send the initiative to voters; that initiative was approved by voters in November of 2014 and became Measure A.
News Moderator: Robert Celt 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Butte Co, CA Petitions Suspend Amendments To Medical Marijuana Cultivation
Author: Cristina Davies and Stephanie Barnes
Contact: KRCR
Photo Credit: Glen Stubbe
Website: KRCR
