Referendum, here we come

Leave it to Citizens for Compassionate Use to take their cause to the people. Last week the Butte County Board of Supervisors voted to ban dispensaries—effectively making a two-year moratorium permanent—and CCU believes local voters will think differently.

“The whole dispensary ban is a sham,” said the CCU’s Andrew Merkel.

The group, which also includes professional signature-gatherer Weston Mickey (pictured), started its petition drive Sunday (Oct. 30) and is optimistic it will easily meet its mark.

Over the summer, after the board adopted a medical-marijuana-cultivation ordinance, the group gathered more than enough signatures to qualify a referendum. That ordinance will be put to a popular vote in June. This time they’re asking that the board either repeal the ban, reconsider and work with CCU, or put it on the ballot.

“We registered a lot of people to vote during the last go-around, so it’s making it a lot easier this go-around,” said Mickey.