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The Humboldt County Board of Supervisors seems to be receiving plenty of advice on how medical marijuana should be regulated.
The Humboldt Medical Marijuana Advisory Panel (HuMMAP) presented its draft policy -- which included graduated licensing fees for cultivation starting at $200 a year for 100 square feet - to the board Tuesday during public comment.
HuMMAP Chair Syreeta Lux said the draft policy is meant to stabilize the county's economy by increasing county revenues and reducing marijuana-related crime.
She said the policy recognizes "that a greater number of small farmers contributes more to our county's economy and culture than fewer large growers can."
Lux said the group hopes that licensing accounts for responsible water use, sustainability and the creation of a certification program. She said HuMMAP hopes the board will take this to the state level to encourage more statewide policy and awareness.
HuMMAP formed after the county's first open meeting on the marijuana industry and its effect on the local economy held in March.
Another group, the Humboldt Growers Association (HGA), is also providing county officials with input in another way. The group is presenting its draft policy during a nonpublic ordinance workshop today.
The workshop is sponsored by 4th District Supervisor Bonnie Neely and the HGA, which includes at least one of Neely's campaign contributors. HGA said 3rd District Supervisor Mark Lovelace and Humboldt
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County District Attorney Paul Gallegos will also be in attendance.
Max Del Real - a medical cannabis lobbyist from the Sacramento-based California Capitol Solutions - who represents the HGA said HuMMAP's approach is "short-sighted."
"If HuMMAP is interested in selling out Humboldt's future, they're doing the right things," Del Real said.
He said HuMMAP's draft policy will allow in big commercial farmers from outside of Humboldt. The draft policy's licensing fee goes up to $300,000 for 40,000-square feet.
Del Real said HGA is not releasing its draft policy until today but said it focuses on sustainability, job creation and a focus on localization.
While some HuMMAP members have concern over the HGA's exclusiveness, Del Real said HGA is looking forward to working with HuMMAP.
Lovelace said he welcomes both policies, since the county can use all the help it can get in creating a legitimate marijuana industry. He said he found that HuMMAP's approach was focused on encouraging smaller businesses - something he agrees with - but there is more work to be done.
He said he was glad that HuMMAP suggested bringing the policy to the state level.
"We'd all like to have some authority at the local level," Lovelace said about counties in California. "But I think we'd like to have a baseline which we can work with."
To see HuMMAP's draft policy "HuMMAP Commercial Cannabis Industry Tax and Regulation Proposal", go to Humboldt Medical Marijuana Advisory Panel.
NewsHawk: MedicalNeed:420 MAGAZINE
Source:times-standard.com
Author: Donna Tam
Contact: Contact Us - Times-Standard Online
Copyright: 2010 - Times-Standard
Website:Medical cannabis groups present draft policies - Times-Standard Online
The Humboldt Medical Marijuana Advisory Panel (HuMMAP) presented its draft policy -- which included graduated licensing fees for cultivation starting at $200 a year for 100 square feet - to the board Tuesday during public comment.
HuMMAP Chair Syreeta Lux said the draft policy is meant to stabilize the county's economy by increasing county revenues and reducing marijuana-related crime.
She said the policy recognizes "that a greater number of small farmers contributes more to our county's economy and culture than fewer large growers can."
Lux said the group hopes that licensing accounts for responsible water use, sustainability and the creation of a certification program. She said HuMMAP hopes the board will take this to the state level to encourage more statewide policy and awareness.
HuMMAP formed after the county's first open meeting on the marijuana industry and its effect on the local economy held in March.
Another group, the Humboldt Growers Association (HGA), is also providing county officials with input in another way. The group is presenting its draft policy during a nonpublic ordinance workshop today.
The workshop is sponsored by 4th District Supervisor Bonnie Neely and the HGA, which includes at least one of Neely's campaign contributors. HGA said 3rd District Supervisor Mark Lovelace and Humboldt
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County District Attorney Paul Gallegos will also be in attendance.
Max Del Real - a medical cannabis lobbyist from the Sacramento-based California Capitol Solutions - who represents the HGA said HuMMAP's approach is "short-sighted."
"If HuMMAP is interested in selling out Humboldt's future, they're doing the right things," Del Real said.
He said HuMMAP's draft policy will allow in big commercial farmers from outside of Humboldt. The draft policy's licensing fee goes up to $300,000 for 40,000-square feet.
Del Real said HGA is not releasing its draft policy until today but said it focuses on sustainability, job creation and a focus on localization.
While some HuMMAP members have concern over the HGA's exclusiveness, Del Real said HGA is looking forward to working with HuMMAP.
Lovelace said he welcomes both policies, since the county can use all the help it can get in creating a legitimate marijuana industry. He said he found that HuMMAP's approach was focused on encouraging smaller businesses - something he agrees with - but there is more work to be done.
He said he was glad that HuMMAP suggested bringing the policy to the state level.
"We'd all like to have some authority at the local level," Lovelace said about counties in California. "But I think we'd like to have a baseline which we can work with."
To see HuMMAP's draft policy "HuMMAP Commercial Cannabis Industry Tax and Regulation Proposal", go to Humboldt Medical Marijuana Advisory Panel.
NewsHawk: MedicalNeed:420 MAGAZINE
Source:times-standard.com
Author: Donna Tam
Contact: Contact Us - Times-Standard Online
Copyright: 2010 - Times-Standard
Website:Medical cannabis groups present draft policies - Times-Standard Online
