Butte County is in a turmoil over marijuana with growing and water use inflaming passions on all sides. Measure A, a voter passed initiative, limits grows in unincorporated Butte County of a half-acre or less to an indoor only growing area of no more than 120 square feet and in larger properties to indoor or outdoor growing areas ranging from 50 square feet for parcels less than 5 acres to 150 square feet for lots 10 acres or larger.

A letter to the local newspaper claimed “Marijuana’s high water demands deplete wells. Growers divert water and transport it to stay afloat until harvest season.” Encouraging residents to report marijuana grows to county officials, the letter concluded that “A dedicated team of code enforcement officers make site inspections to ensure compliance. Butte County sheriff’s deputies accompany them to assure safety.”

To find out what is going on in Butte County, hear from Butte Co. Code Enforcement officer Chris Jellison and attorney Scott Candell who filed a lawsuit to have Measure A overturned.

Mr. Jellison will explain how complaints are made, how many complaints are being investigated, how they respond to them, the dangers involved in investigating the complaints and their role in managing water use by marijuana cultivators.

Attorney Candell will discuss the legal situation in Butte County, how Measure A is affecting patient access, what is being done to overcome the restrictions in Measure A and whether the drought issue is a red herring.