Controversial Pot Cultivation Ordinance Tabled

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San Andreas, CA — The Calaveras County Board of Supervisors decided not to continue working on a new marijuana cultivation ordinance,  instead waiting to see what happens in the 2016 election when a proposal to legalize marijuana is expected to be on the ballot.

At a packed Tuesday study session regarding drafting of the ordinance, plenty of people voiced their opinions. County Administrator Shirley Ryan had this reaction to the crowd. “I really wasn’t [surprised]. I think it’s an issue that affects a lot of people…with a lot of very strong opinions on it and wanted to express themselves.”

However, at one point during the public hearing, the board decided to take a poll of the members and unanimously decided not to move forward with the ordinance at this time. “Maintain the status quo,” explains County Administrator Shirley Ryan, “which basically means no local regulatory ordinance…until we know what’s going to happen or have a better idea of what might happen at the state level in 2016.”

Several agencies have been working collectively in the county to draft the basic framework for an ordinance, including the County Counsel’s office, District Attorney, Environmental Health, Public Health, and the Sheriff.

Update: The State of California passed three laws, including AB266, to regulate medical marijuana on October 9, 2015.