TEHAMA COUNTY BOARD MAY GET TOUGHER ON POT

Tehama County will today consider an ordinance that would tighten
local medical marijuana restrictions.

Medical marijuana has been legal in California since 1996, and allows
the possession of 12 immature marijuana plants, six mature plants or
half-a-pound of dried, processed marijuana if the person in question
has a doctor's recommendation.

Counties are not allowed to pass guidelines that lower these amounts,
but can raise the limit or pass other ordinances related to the
cultivation of marijuana.

The ordinance is scheduled to be introduced by Supervisor Bob
Williams and is based on a similar ordinance in Mendocino County.

It would limit licensed medical marijuana users to 25 plants while
requiring marijuana gardens to be surrounded by a six-foot fence and
located no less than 1,000 feet from schools or day care centers,
school bus stops and other places where minors gather.

It would require marijuana harvesters to register with the county
Public Health Department.

Licensed patients growing out of compliance would receive a 14-day
notice requiring them to comply, after which the county could destroy
the garden and charge the owner with the expense involved.

Growers would have the option of appealing the notice in writing, if
they reply within 10 days.

Williams said he drafted the ordinance after complaints from district
residents who lived near a large growing co-op.

With no county ordinances regarding the growth of marijuana, there is
nothing to restrict medical marijuana patients from growing massive
gardens.

He also cited the January shooting of Clarence Puckett, who, along
with his wife, had been growing marijuana in a Los Molinos residence.

Several suspects, including a 17-year-old boy, allegedly broke in and
demanded money and marijuana before killing Puckett and stealing
several pounds of marijuana.

By requiring increased security and moving the facilities away from
children, medical marijuana theft will be less likely, Williams said.

In addition to the potential for theft, Williams' ordinance mentions
the higher amounts of electricity associated with indoor growth and
the potential for improper pesticide disposal as reasons for keeping
a list of medical marijuana gardens.

The supervisors meet at 10 a.m. today at 727 Oak St.

More information, including a copy of the ordinance, is available by
calling 527-4655 or visiting www.co.tehama.ca.us .