Long-sought legislation providing the first-ever state regulation of the medical marijuana industry, expected to be signed by Governor Brown, will not affect private growers in Nevada County. Local and state licenses would be required for commercial dispensaries. But there are no such businesses in the county at this time. And County Supervisor Nate Beason doesn’t see any dispensaries opening in the forseeable future…

click to listen to Nate Beason

The legislation allows local private growing ordinances to remain in place. Patricia Smith, with the county’s Americans For Safe Access, helps run a collective but would like to open a dispensary…

click to listen to Patricia Smith

The other main feature of the legislation legally defines marijuana as an agricultural product, requiring growers to follow the same rules as farmers for water use, discharge, and pesticides. There have been numerous complaints regarding large marijuana grows in forests causing major environmental damage. The legislation also allows cities and counties to apply for grants for law enforcement and cleanup.