By: Nico Payne
EL CENTRO, Calif. - The
Imperial County Board of Supervisors are hosting a series of
informational workshops regarding Proposition 64, The Adult Use of
Marijuana Act.
They
are asking for the public's input on potential methods and
implementations for the newly approved law, news 11’s nico payne was at
the first of three workshops and brings us more.
The
Proposition was approved by California voters back in November and
today people had the opportunity to learn about new changes that can
lead to new business developments and share their input.
“California
is the first state in the nation to adopt any form of medical marijuana
use," said Jim Minnick, Director of Imperial County Planning and
Development.
Minnick
presented the history of regulation in California along with issues the
county will face including the cultivation, manufacturing and
distribution.
Though the law passed statewide, Imperial County was not in favor of the proposition, voting against it at 51%.
“The
1970 Controlled Substance Act of the federal government actually
enlists marijuana as a controlled substance and that doesn't change,"
added Minnick.
Eleven
people from the public spoke during public comment and addressed the
board on how marijuana could be beneficial to the county.
“I
believe, based on all the anecdotal evidence that I’ve seen, with the
patients that I have worked with here. It’s had absolute tremendous
benefits. I know that a lot of jurisdictions are definitely really
worried about the recreational aspect of this industry, and again that’s
all in your guys hands to regulate," said Tammie Thomas with The Cancer
Resource Center.
“In
our case, we want to be as green and lean compliant as possible, so
actually in three years we will be zero carbon footprint. Right now
approximately 80% of our water will be recycled also, so we’ll be using
roughly 750 gallons a day," said Jim Erwin who is building a Cultivation
Facility in Calexico.
Erwin also addressed other issues such as odor control and security, and explained his facility would be creating 25 jobs.
If
you missed today’s workshop, there will be two more workshops for the
public to attend, for more information you can head to
http://www.co.imperial.ca.us/index.asp?fileinc=countyevents&newsnumber=0
for more information regarding the two remaining workshops.
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