LAKE COUNTY — Election officials received two rebuttal arguments regarding County Measure “D,” the proposed local marijuana cultivation law.
Registrar of Voters Diane Fridley reported getting one argument for and one against “The Lake County Medical Marijuana Cultivation Act of 2012” by March 14.
The authors of those arguments were given one week to provide rebuttals — a deadline that passed Wednesday afternoon.
One Lake County Green Farmers Association representative, who co-authored the argument in favor of Measure “D,” signed the “Rebuttal to Argument Against County Measure D.”
The rebuttal begins, “Don”t be fooled by the scare tactics of the opposition to Measure D. Measure ”D” creates regulations, limits and allows oversight for the cultivation of medical marijuana.”
The statement attempts to refute claims made in the anti-argument by rejecting assertions that the measure would result in increased crime and decreased public safety.
The “Rebuttal to Argument in Favor of Measure D” was signed by five people, all of whom were not listed as writers of the argument against the measure. The authors of the anti-argument authorized different people to sign the rebuttal argument, Fridley said.
The rebuttal begins, “Vote ”No” on Measure D. Measure D is an attempt by marijuana profiteers to expand their drug cultivation activities into neighborhoods and communities of Lake County.”
The statement goes on to claim that parents, educators, community leaders, law enforcement personnel, agriculturalists and seniors oppose the proposed ordinance.
The rebuttals along with the arguments for and against, the measure itself and County Counsel Anita Grant”s “impartial analysis” will be printed and distributed with the sample ballots, which will likely be completed in early May, according to Fridley.
Measure “D” would add Article 72A to Chapter 21 of the Lake County Code, establishing regulations specifically for medical marijuana growth.
