With both sides of the medical marijuana issue unable to agree on a place to hold a debate, two separate informational meetings were held about the proposed culivation ordinance known as Measure S. Opponents met at the Board of Supervisors chambers in a meeting. There were three prominent speakers, including County Counsel Allison Barratt-Green who says many of the provisions of Measure S will be difficult or impossible to enforce…
Listen to Allison Barratt-Green 1
Sheriff’s Lieutenant Bill Smethers has worked on the narcotics task force, and told the crowd that many of the so-called legal grows produce more marijuana than one person could possibly use…
One person was invited to speak in favor of Measure S. Martin Webb says he is not with the group that organized the measure, but identified himself as a recovering homeless heroin addict, and medical cannibis has been an important part of his recovery. Webb says cutting back the legal supply of marijuana just benefits those that grow it illegally…
A crowd of about 50 people listened to the one-and-a-half hour meeting, and some questions were taken at the end. (A ‘Yes on S’ program was presented at the Nevada Theater in Nevada City).
Martin Webb
It should be noted that I was actually invited to speak only 5 minutes before the event started, in the lobby by Keith Royal, providing me no oppty to prepare or to come with a power point presentation like they did. How convenient.
It should also be noted that I identified myself as not just a recovering homeless heroin addict (16 yrs clean on Friday!), but also:
- a long time business owner in the community
- a single dad of two kids
- a member of the Coalition for a Drug-Free Nevada County
- the primary local citizen who has worked with top local law enforcement officials since 2001 on crafting sensible countywide medical cannabis policies (first with previous DA Mike Ferguson, then current DA Cliff Newell, and then was asked to be on the sheriff's ordinance working group in 2012)
- and also I came out publicly as a sufferer of suicidal depression who is aided by responsible cannabis use sanctioned by a licensed doctor
My take? Decrease the legal gardens in a significant way, as the current ordinance does, and you will see a direct increase in illegal gardens and the associated crime and violence. Which do you prefer we have in our community: more illegal gardens while the cops stay busy chasing legal gardens, or more legal gardens while the cops chase the illegal gardens? Vote Yes on S.