COUNCIL WAITS FOR PROP. 19

The City Council will wait until voters cast ballots on Proposition
19 this November before determining whether to fine those who violate
the state's marijuana growing and possession laws.

While several members of the City Council appeared inclined Tuesday
night to require all legalized, essentially medically purported,
marijuana growth to occur indoors, they recognized that the
legalization initiative could be a game changer if it's passed. It
would require local governments to regulate, set and collect fees and
taxes and authorize various criminal and civil penalties.

"We never want to reinvent the wheel," City Attorney Julia Lew said.

Few opinions were expressed by those in attendance at the regularly
scheduled City Council meeting, with only one man defending the value
of medical marijuana and Californian's rights to use it under the
Compassionate Use Act, and two Terra Bella women airing worries that
large "pot plantations" are a public safety hazard.

Earlier in the day, a 17-year-old from Lindsay died from a gunshot
wound he received last week while reportedly stealing from a marijuana garden.

"It's like hanging 100 dollar bills in your front yard," councilman
Greg Shelton said. "I don't know if I wanna shut it down, I just
don't want people getting shot over it."

Following the Nov. 2 election, the Council may consider incorporating
marijuana regulations into its land and zoning laws. Currently,
according to the City Manager and Porterville Police Department, the
District Attorney is not prosecuting cultivation for personal uses.

Lew noted that civil injunctions established in other California
cities are successful in enforcing state laws.

"It seems like we should have some type of control," Mayor Ron Irish
said. "If we can do home occupational permits, than certainly we can
do it for this."