TEHAMA COUNTY BANS MARIJUANA DISPENSARY ZONING

RED BLUFF - After more than a year of discussion and deliberation, the
Tehama County Board of Supervisors last week decided to ban zoning for
medical marijuana dispensaries.

Planning commissioners recommended the ban June 9, rather than an
alternative ordinance that would heavily regulate dispensaries.

Several people spoke about the issue, mostly in support of a ban. The
one exception was resident Richard Clapp who argued that the only
thing a pot overdose does is cause sleep, while other drugs can kill.

"The law and the courts have let us down," said Supervisor George
Russell after the hearing closed.

There is an unwillingness at the state level for legislation
addressing issues that have come up, and no funding to enforce the
law, he said.

There are no controls in place to make sure only qualified individuals
get medication.

There is a lack of interest in the ordinance, Russell said. At the
most, 10 people have attended public hearings on the matter and he
hasn't received many calls.

Right now, the county does not have the capabilities to oversee the
dispensaries, he said.

The other four supervisors agreed.

"I think the medical marijuana law has been abused to a point where
it's just not manageable anymore," said Supervisor Ron Warner.