Medical marijuana ordinance "highly flawed" and is a "medicinal and civil liberties " issue

The Medical Marijuana Outdoor Land Use Ordinance for outdoor cultivation on small parcels Oct 28th draft version was presented to the Humboldt County Board of Supervisors this afternoon. Public hearing going on now. So far lot of opinions. No one happy but for different reasons.

Only 14 people are in the audience including Richard Marks, consultant and cannabis organizer representing California Cannabis Voice Humboldt. District Attorney Elect Maggie Fleming attended and listened. Local attorney Kathleen Bryson also attended.

One speaker from Fortuna said his major concern was "impact on kids". Another speaker who said he is from Redway and 25 years in marijuana business. He called the ordinance "highly flawed" and said this was a "medicinal and civil liberties" issue. He spoke and laughed while other speakers were at the podium.

Speaker from California Department of Fish and Wildlife objected due to "impact on natural resources" and called for greater regulation. Said this ordinance "was step in the right direction."

Another speaker, from Willow Creek, said he spoke a year ago, and"here we are back now." He said he represented seniors "who are afraid to come out of their house before noon and after dark." He said people have to go get medicine because "the stench is making them sick. We are not against 215 or people who are seriously ill, we are against those making a profit."

Another speaker said he "did not care if people grow" but 40 feet was not enough. His issue was odor. "If Iit up in this room, everyone would go, Can you smell that?"

A speaker from Cannabis Voice said, "This is a step in the right direction, the problem is the intent behind this is phony."