Measure A could help protect neighbors

Voters have an opportunity to improve the regulation of cannabis agriculture in Humboldt County by voting in favor of Measure A. The current regulations do not protect neighbors. Is it scientifically proven that the noxious odor from a 10,000-square-foot grow or processing facility will not travel more than 600 feet?

The Planning Department does not have the staff to actually inspect grows, despite the existing ordinance which provides that County licenses are supposed to be renewed annually only after an inspection.

Opponents of Measure A have repeated a “parade of horribles” which will occur if the Measure passes, but these effects are not based on an impartial analysis.

Opponents have stated that portions of Measure A will prevent existing cannabis license holders from improving their operations, such as adding solar power. If there is any ambiguity in the initiative, voters can be confident that the Board of Supervisors will interpret any ambiguity in favor of cannabis growers.

The Board has proven that they respond to growers' pressure. Remember the suspension and then the 90% reduction of local cannabis taxes? Given the well-documented oversupply of cannabis in California, restricting the number of permits to 1000 under Measure A (instead of the current limit of 3500) would presumably help existing small cannabis farmers by limiting competition within our Humboldt “niche” market. The real problem is large industrial cannabis operations in other parts of the State which the existing regulations do not address.