SUPERVISORS HAVE OPTIONS ON REFERENDUM

Your June 29 editorial about the referendum on the county's medical
marijuana cultivation ordinance could create the impression that the
referendum petitions (over 12,000 signatures turned in) will require
the Board of Supervisors to hold/pay for a special election. This is
not the case.

This referendum, unlike Measure A, which did require the city of
Chico to hold/pay for a special election, at a cost of $151,000, does
not require that a special election be held. Elections Code section
9145 provides: "If the board of supervisors does not entirely repeal
the ordinance against which a (qualifying) petition is filed, the
board shall submit the ordinance to the voters either at the next
regularly scheduled county election occurring not less than 88 days
after the date of the order, or at a special election called for that
purpose not less than 88 days after the date of the order. The
ordinance shall not become effective unless and until a majority of
the voters voting on the ordinance vote in favor of it."

Accordingly, when the referendum qualifies, after signature
verification, the Board of Supervisors can repeal the ordinance,
hold/pay for a special election, or place the medical marijuana
cultivation ordinance on the ballot for the June 2012 regular county
election. It's the board's choice.

- - Robert W. MacKenzie, Chico