Looking for answers to marijuana cultivation questions
Publisher’s note: The author of this letter read part of it into the record at the Sept. 29, 2010, marijuana cultivation committee meeting in South Lake Tahoe. Below is the letter in its entirety.
To the publisher,
At last week’s committee meeting called to develop an ordinance for the home cultivation of medical marijuana, a homeowner on the committee spoke of her concern about the disposal of soil potentially contaminated with fertilizer, herbicides, pesticides and other grow products. There is also the problem of the washing and disposal of contaminated equipment used to apply these products. This possible introduction of toxins into neighborhoods and commercial grow warehouses will have to be squarely confronted and resolved. Some regulatory agencies and neighbors will demand it.
Grow advocates on the committee agreed that in order to dissipate marijuana fumes and reduce mold problems, fans would be required to circulate the air from the grow room (up to 10 percent of the floor area of a house) to outside fresh air every three minutes. Unlike fans made for home use, these may have to be of an industrial sort, and if so, are likely to make noise well above the peace and quiet that neighborhood residents presently enjoy. Fans will be programmed to switch on and off for as long as marijuana is growing in the houses. Will they be running 24 hours a day? Just one of these fans may announce to any passerby that they are close to a grow house and every neighbor will know where the grow houses are. Several of these fans placed in close proximity could contribute a continuous noise to some significant part of the neighborhood.
If marijuana is grown in garages, flammable and toxic material such as gardening chemicals, anti-freeze, gas grills and other equipment that is now suitably stored in a garage will be displaced. While is may be legal to store such items in the home, is it the preferred location? Can the fire department recommend alternative storage spaces?
Since growing marijuana in neighborhoods will in part include a business transaction – the selling of the unused product to dispensaries – will water use be billed at the commercial or residential rate?
The City Council may impose a one-or two-year moratorium on new dispensaries. Nevertheless, the three existing storefront dispensaries are “grandfathered in”. Why? Isn’t it appropriate for there to be periodic reviews of the dispensaries by the public, City Council and staff? Shouldn’t their continued operation be provisional? Who made the decision that the three dispensaries are grandfathered in and why was public comment not sough beforehand?
Originally, this ordinance was to be presented to the City Council at its Oct. 5 meeting. That date has been changed to the Oct. 19 City Council meeting. Hopefully, the public will have a chance to comment.
Gloria Harootunian, South Lake Tahoe
There are many people that grow and create no adverse effects to their neighbors or the environment around them. Many people are already using these fans to vent their grows so apparently everyone must know every house that people are growing in. Can someone who has no idea what they are talking about really pass judgement on others?
More concerns were also brought up. One was the fact the committee is comprised of only one landlord and 3 dispensaries and the rest government officials. TRPA is not represented. LTUSD is not represented. Concerns for the fire risk from a grow in the Lukin’s water district were compared to the risk of having a toaster in the kitchen by the new city manager. If a neighborhood fire breaks out in the Lukins district and there is a loss of life and/or destruction throughout the entire basin, I wonder who will be suing the city then; for not restricting growing in that area due to protecting the health, safety and welfare of this community?
Then I guess everyone should just stop using electricity to avoid any fire dangers in the basin! When will people wake up and realize the fact that this has been going on for a long time and the city council is using this non-issue to avoid answering questions about the grand jury report and other much more pressing things facing our community? Think about it when did this whole contraversy over growing start? The lemmings need to start asking real questions of our council members and hold them accountable for their incompetence.
This has been going on for a long time without safety measures. That is why public safety needs to be addressed.
Speaking of electricity…Title 24 and it’s energy code has not been addressed yet. Energy calcs should be included in the permit process, so they are not sucking up all of California’s energy to grow.
Congrats snoheather,
Just another smokescreen for distraction brought to you by our outstanding City Council!
ANSWER THE GRAND JURY CHARGES AND RELEASE THE BUDGET INFORMATION!