LAKE COUNTY — Election officials reported receiving one argument for and one argument against County Measure “D,” the proposed local marijuana law drafted by a group of citizens.
County voters had until Wednesday afternoon to submit arguments about “The Lake County Medical Marijuana Cultivation Act of 2012,” which will appear on the June ballot.
The proposed ordinance would add Article 72A to Chapter 21 of the Lake County Code, establishing specific regulations for medical marijuana growth.
The measure was the result of an initiative effort by the Lake County Green Farmers Association and Lake County Citizens for Responsible Regulations.
Two people representing those groups turned in the argument for the proposed law.
Titled “Argument in Favor of Measure D,” the proponents” document fell just within the 300-word limit.
It claims that the proposed law “places limits on the numbers of medical marijuana plants cultivated, specifies where plants can be cultivated, allows inspections of farms for compliance with state and local regulation, and empowers Lake County officials to enforce local environmental and nuisance laws.”
The pro-argument later adds, “The legislation was crafted with input from Lake County medical marijuana farmers, who welcome reasonable regulation and want to be good neighbors in their communities, while allowing full prosecution of irresponsible growers who act in a manner disrespectful to their communities and in defiance of state and local regulations.”
Five people signed the argument against the measure.
One person signed as the president of the Kelseyville Business Association while the four others did not identify with an organization though they are known representatives of groups such as the Lake County Farm Bureau and the Lake County Deputy Sheriffs” Association.
The anti-argument begins, “Law Enforcement, Farmers, Educators, Ranchers and Community leaders urge you to vote NO on Measure D.”
It goes on to claim that passage could increase crime and create danger for the county”s youth.
“Measure D is a public safety disaster that will destroy Lake County”s quiet way of life. It is a poorly written law that will put the safety of all law-abiding Lake County residents at risk,” the argument states.
The authors of both arguments will have until 5 p.m. March 21 to submit a rebuttal argument that does not exceed 250 words.
The argument for and argument against, along with the measure, County Counsel Anita Grant”s “impartial analysis” and any rebuttal arguments, will be printed and distributed with the sample ballots, which will likely mailed to voters the week of May 7, according to Registrar of Voters Diane Fridley.
Copies of the arguments and the measure can be obtained at the Office of the Registrar of Voters on the second floor of the Lake County Courthouse in Lakeport.
The argument for reads as follows:
“Argument in Favor of Measure D
Measure “D”, The Lake County Medical Marijuana Cultivation Act of 2012, is straightforward, common sense regulation that meets the needs of the patients, growers and the communities of Lake County. It places limits on the numbers of medical marijuana plants cultivated, specifies where plants can be cultivated, allows inspections of farms for compliance with state and local regulation, and empowers Lake County officials to enforce local environmental and nuisance laws.
Medical marijuana cultivation has brought many benefits to Lake County. It has provided safe, affordable medicine to Lake County residents suffering from the effects of multiple sclerosis, glaucoma, cancer/chemotherapy and debilitating pain. It serves the local economy, providing substantial business for many local retail stores and also providing local employment for cultivation, harvesting and processing.
However, regulation is needed in order to prevent abuse and to halt detrimental cultivation practices. Without local legislation, we cannot place limits on cultivation in residential zones or relegate larger cultivations to more appropriate zones. Measure “D” would allow oversight, to ensure that detrimental pesticides and herbicides are not being utilized, that environmental and nuisance laws are being followed, and that growers are operating in full compliance with state law.
The legislation was crafted with input from Lake County medical marijuana farmers, who welcome reasonable regulation and want to be good neighbors in their communities, while allowing full prosecution of irresponsible growers who act in a manner disrespectful to their communities and in defiance of state and local regulations.
We urge you to vote for Measure “D”, to put in place local regulations to ensure medical marijuana cultivation is well-regulated and beneficial to the communities of Lake County.
For more information on Measure “D”, the Medical Marijuana Cultivation Act of 2012, please visit the official campaign website at www.c4rr.org.
s/ Don Merrill, Lake County Green Farmers
s/ Margaret Greenley Rosetta, Lake County Citizens for Responsible Regulations”
The argument against reads as follows:
“Argument Against Marijuana Measure D
Law Enforcement, Farmers, Educators, Ranchers and Community leaders urge you to vote NO on Measure D.
Measure D allows marijuana growers to operate in residential neighborhoods and vacant lots. It even lets growers deal marijuana from their homes!
Measure D is harmful to our families, our communities and our small town quality of life.
More Home Invasion Robberies: The number of marijuana-related home invasion robberies has already risen. Measure D will expose even more local residents to the risk of attack from criminals breaking into their homes to steal marijuana.
More Violent Crime: Measure D increases the danger of homeowners or farmers becoming the victims of drug-related shootings coming from vacant lots where marijuana is being grown.
More Drug Dealers: Measure D will serve as a welcome mat to attract drug dealers and gangs to Lake County and bring urban crime to our rural communities.
More Gang Violence – Measure D will bring gang shootings into local neighborhoods as gang members fight over residential marijuana growing territory.
Jeopardizing Children”s Safety: By allowing marijuana sales in our neighborhoods, Measure D will increase the exposure of drugs to our children.
Measure D is a public safety disaster that will destroy Lake County”s quiet way of life. It is a poorly written law that will put the safety of all law-abiding Lake County residents at risk.
Regardless of whether you support or oppose the legalization of marijuana, please join us in voting NO on Measure D.
S/ Joe Dutra
S/ Craig Shannon
S/ Jeanette Bartley, president, Kelseyville Business Association
S/ Sharron Zoller
S/ Trena Moore Pauly”
