Katelyn Baker
Well-Known Member
Nearly every seat inside the conference room of the Murphys Suites Hotel was claimed Tuesday evening before the start of the "Great Calaveras Cannabis Debate."
Those who came in near start time found a spot between a table and a window or a skinny spot along the conference room's yellow walls.
The Calaveras County Democrats, who hosted the event at its monthly meeting, knew it would be highly anticipated. They moved the meeting from Round Table in Angels Camp to the Murphys Suites, which could pack some six times the number of people.
Three speakers were featured, all of whom have taken strong stances on the cannabis industry. While temperatures increased and spectators waved paper fans harder and harder, the debaters remained cool and collected.
Bill McManus, who wants to ban cultivation, was the first to arrive. Not long after came Merita Callaway, a former Calaveras County supervisor who supports a proposed ordinance to regulate the industry that will be before voters in November. Bob Bowerman, a proponent of the legalization of cannabis in California and founder of the Sacramento chapter of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws, arrived five minutes prior to the start of the meeting.
The meeting began with a moment of silence for the police officers slain in Dallas last week and moved onto the Treasurer's Report before announcements.
Shortly after 6:40 p.m., the debate began. Despite having opposing stances on a controversial issue for Calaveras County in the past year, no voices were raised. None of the three debate participants shook their heads or rolled their eyes in response to another.
In fact, it was polite. Shortly after Callaway arrived, McManus relinquished his chair to her and fetched himself a new one. During the early stages of the debate, McManus could also be seen chuckling with Bowerman, like they had been pals for years.
The greatest moment of animosity came from someone in the crowd. An attendee commandeered the spotlight in response to something said by Bowerman. As the person continued, he was met with passionate responses from others who pleaded to let Bowerman continue.
The debate began with introductions and opening statements from the participants.
Callaway spoke first, after what was the strongest ovation from those in attendance, and discussed the proposed ordinance before voters in November. She said she wants regulations and oversight for marijuana and commerce. She added to shutdown grows will take a collaboration between the various agencies within the county.
"We are trying to saddle a wild horse," Callaway said.
McManus, the second to speak, was strong in his response. He said the county did not have the resources to enforce regulation. He said the regulatory ordinance is a toothless ordinance that would not allow law enforcement to do its job.
Bowerman rounded out the group. He said he wants to get cannabis out of schools and parking lots. He called those who protect their grows with guns terrorists. He does not think regulation will hurt those who favor a ban, but those he calls "renegade growers" that cultivate illegally.
"Only people who think the ban will work are the gangs and cartels," Bowerman said. "They are the mean people."
Following the introduction was a lengthy question-and-answer period that saw the audience ask more than 30 questions to the speakers and to high-profile attendees, like Calaveras County Supervisor Michael Oliveira and Caslin Tomaszewski, executive director of the Calaveras Cannabis Alliance.
Among the questions asked was: How much money the industry will make for the county and how the money will be used, what measures will be in place to prevent driving impaired, and whether the tobacco industry will invade the cultivation industry
Speakers responded: More than $3 million in fees to be spent on programs for implementation of the ordinance, there is no legal way to test for THC levels in the body, and the tobacco industry does not plan to branch into marijuana.
News Moderator: Katelyn Baker 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Cannabis Debate Draws Crowd
Author: Jason Cowan
Contact: (209) 532-7151
Photo Credit: GMA News Online
Website: The Union Democrat
Those who came in near start time found a spot between a table and a window or a skinny spot along the conference room's yellow walls.
The Calaveras County Democrats, who hosted the event at its monthly meeting, knew it would be highly anticipated. They moved the meeting from Round Table in Angels Camp to the Murphys Suites, which could pack some six times the number of people.
Three speakers were featured, all of whom have taken strong stances on the cannabis industry. While temperatures increased and spectators waved paper fans harder and harder, the debaters remained cool and collected.
Bill McManus, who wants to ban cultivation, was the first to arrive. Not long after came Merita Callaway, a former Calaveras County supervisor who supports a proposed ordinance to regulate the industry that will be before voters in November. Bob Bowerman, a proponent of the legalization of cannabis in California and founder of the Sacramento chapter of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws, arrived five minutes prior to the start of the meeting.
The meeting began with a moment of silence for the police officers slain in Dallas last week and moved onto the Treasurer's Report before announcements.
Shortly after 6:40 p.m., the debate began. Despite having opposing stances on a controversial issue for Calaveras County in the past year, no voices were raised. None of the three debate participants shook their heads or rolled their eyes in response to another.
In fact, it was polite. Shortly after Callaway arrived, McManus relinquished his chair to her and fetched himself a new one. During the early stages of the debate, McManus could also be seen chuckling with Bowerman, like they had been pals for years.
The greatest moment of animosity came from someone in the crowd. An attendee commandeered the spotlight in response to something said by Bowerman. As the person continued, he was met with passionate responses from others who pleaded to let Bowerman continue.
The debate began with introductions and opening statements from the participants.
Callaway spoke first, after what was the strongest ovation from those in attendance, and discussed the proposed ordinance before voters in November. She said she wants regulations and oversight for marijuana and commerce. She added to shutdown grows will take a collaboration between the various agencies within the county.
"We are trying to saddle a wild horse," Callaway said.
McManus, the second to speak, was strong in his response. He said the county did not have the resources to enforce regulation. He said the regulatory ordinance is a toothless ordinance that would not allow law enforcement to do its job.
Bowerman rounded out the group. He said he wants to get cannabis out of schools and parking lots. He called those who protect their grows with guns terrorists. He does not think regulation will hurt those who favor a ban, but those he calls "renegade growers" that cultivate illegally.
"Only people who think the ban will work are the gangs and cartels," Bowerman said. "They are the mean people."
Following the introduction was a lengthy question-and-answer period that saw the audience ask more than 30 questions to the speakers and to high-profile attendees, like Calaveras County Supervisor Michael Oliveira and Caslin Tomaszewski, executive director of the Calaveras Cannabis Alliance.
Among the questions asked was: How much money the industry will make for the county and how the money will be used, what measures will be in place to prevent driving impaired, and whether the tobacco industry will invade the cultivation industry
Speakers responded: More than $3 million in fees to be spent on programs for implementation of the ordinance, there is no legal way to test for THC levels in the body, and the tobacco industry does not plan to branch into marijuana.
News Moderator: Katelyn Baker 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Cannabis Debate Draws Crowd
Author: Jason Cowan
Contact: (209) 532-7151
Photo Credit: GMA News Online
Website: The Union Democrat
