There are a number of reasons why medical marijuana growers oppose the legalization of recreational pot, which was passed by voters Tuesday night, as Proposition 64. Growers say environmental costs could be pretty substantial and regulators would be allowed to revoke state licenses for farmers who don’t comply with the stricter regulations. Patricia Smith, with Americans For Safe Access in Nevada County, says she’s willing to pay the price, if it prevents local creeks from being drained for irrigation, or keeps pesticides out of local water supplies. But she says patients will also be taking a financial hit…

click to listen to Patricia Smith

Smith also isn’t happy with the prospect of merging regulations for both the recreational and medical marijuana industries…

click to listen to Patricia Smith

Smith says another major concern is that California is expected to begin selling cultivation licenses to large businesses, as soon as 2023. Opponents say big corporations would be in much better shape to handle the higher regulatory and environmental costs, which could result in a decline of smaller businesses.