SUPES LINE SAY 'NAY' TO DISPENSARIES

Butte County Ban Stays in Place

After a very short discussion Tuesday (Oct. 25), the Butte County
Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to ban medical-marijuana dispensaries.

The decision came three months before a moratorium on the facilities
was set to expire. Several people spoke on the topic, mostly
advocating against banning dispensaries.

"There are patients out there and they are suffering," said Andrew
Merkel, whose North Valley Holistic Health shut its doors last week
after the feds threatened its landlord. The dispensary was the only
one in Butte County and had 6,000-7,000 patients. "You're creating a
black market."

When it came down to it, though, the recent crackdown by the U.S.
Department of Justice on dispensaries and threats to local
governments were enough for the board.

"I am afraid of the feds," summed up Supervisor Maureen Kirk.

Opponents are considering a referendum, so stay tuned.