[CRNMC] Cannabis CR ordinance

[Ali]

Hi Steve & fellow CRNMC peeps,

A CR ordinance addressing cannabis, including (but not limited to) who (people or corporations) is allowed to cultivate, "own" seed strains and genetics, distribute and how the rights of the ecosystem will be addressed (including h2o consumption and pesticide use) is currently being considered by the MCPC (Mendocino Cannabis Policy Council).   What has happened in Colorado and Washington is a(nother) corporate disaster (anyone surprised?). Quality of cannabis has significantly decreased, it is hard if not impossible to find organically grown medicine, also hard if not impossible to find the high CBD strains (for those who don't know- these don't get folks high/stoned, but DO treat inflammation and other conditions), and most cultivation in these states is now indoors (not considering the significant carbon footprint of lights).  Mom and pop farmers are being pushed out of the market, undercut by corporate prices, and challenged by the corporate-designed fees to get licenses and permits to grow. 
Whether you agree with marijuana cultivation or not, legalisation IS coming to CA soon (statewide looks like 2016). Who is writing/influencing these laws? Who is waiting on the sidelines for legalisation to happen? Are corporation board of directors considering GMO cannabis? What will happen to Mendocino's economy as legalisation happens? Who has the right to decide cannabis policy here?  
In my opinion, a CR ordinance to empower local farmers and people to decide cannabis policy could be eye-opening to the whole country/world. I say this because currently CR ordinances are being written to address already active and ongoing legal corporate harms and state and federal preemptive law which allow them.  Cannabis is coming out of prohibition (again)- so we have a HUGE opportunity to address an action which corporations have yet to engage in.  We can preempt legal corporate cannabis growing BEFORE it starts! We can protect our local economy, culture, farmers and for many, a way of life, BEFORE we have to "fight" corporate groups as they (IMO, inevitably) move into Mendo to grow in mass scale. 

What if mendocino sets another precedent in CA- showing WE the people of this local place have the right to decide who is allowed to cultivate cannabis for both recreation and medicine? 

If anyone is interested in this, let's talk together & with the MCPC, offer support & encouragement for them to use a CR framework for this very local and impending issue.

Ali

Ps- this could be another opportunity to strengthen our embodiment of We the People. Even if cannabis isn't "your" issue, please consider when you help those that will be affected in their wallets, in this case that could mean a huge percentage of people in the county,  likely we will garner more support for future issues.

Pss- I've suggested to MCPC to bring Paul C back for another one or two weekend workshops so we have more folks fully informed and emotionally connected to the CR movement. Anyone interested in this? 

PSSS!!!- ** please respond directly to email or call (707-303-6030) as I feel like this listserv gets more than unwieldy as a discussion forum. We can form a group and get together or schedule a call.