MARIJUANA ORDINANCE NEEDS MORE WORK

Butte County supervisors drafted a medical marijuana cultivation
ordinance that affects us all. It allows six mature and six immature
plants on any parcel up to 1.5 acres. This will have disastrous
ramifications in high-density communities of very small lots. Most of
the 1,500 lots in Kelly Ridge are 65 feet by 100 feet, about one-sixth
acre. On nine lots, equaling 1.5 acres, 108 plants could be grown
rather than the 12 allowed in the ordinance.

There is no registration or fee for small parcels so how will the
county ensure the marijuana is fenced and 15 feet from property lines,
30 feet from the neighbors' homes. Hard to achieve when homes are
built 5 feet from property lines. Will the county inspect all 12 plant
gardens or are growers on the honor system? Will enforcement of the
ordinance occur only when neighbors complain?

The ordinance admits the hazards of growing marijuana are increased
criminal activity, degradation of the environment and malodorous
smells. Will/can the county respond when neighbors encounter these
predicted hazards?

No marijuana should be grown on small residential lots, period. Those
with a medical need, living on very small lots are able to join a
"collective" and grow elsewhere.

At 5:30 p.m. Wednesday there is a public meeting at Chico Elks Lodge.
Vocal marijuana proponents at the last meeting convinced the county to
increase plant limits from three per acre to 12 per 1.5 acres.
Opponents need to be just as convincing at this meeting.

Linda Ames, Oroville