Amador County – The Sutter Creek Planning Commission heard briefly from members of a marijuana growing and distribution collective on Wednesday, and directed staff to work on a draft determination for zoning.

Commission Chair Cort Strandberg said it was not a public hearing, but the public did speak. The commission received a presentation by John Brown, and his wife, Kasha Brown, board members of Motherlode Wellness Center.

John Brown said the facility follows state medical marijuana law, including surveillance and other regulations, and the corporation removes cannabis from its dispensaries at night.

Commissioner Frank Cunha asked if the collective could give the city a list of its facilities, “so staff can check with local jurisdictions and get some opinions.”

Commissioner Robin Peters asked about the difference between a dispensary, a collective and a cooperative, all terms Brown used in his presentation.

Brown said a cooperative can be a grower or a consumer cooperative. Kasha Brown read from an attorney general’s opinion on interpreting state medical marijuana law, and said a collective is a more typical type of patient association, but is “does not imply a specific legal structure.”

Cunha asked if they had their own growers, and also if they would “solicit growers” locally to join. Brown said “we own quite a bit of property in Lassen County” and land in Oregon, they have a grower with 15 years’ experience, and “we have no shortage of medicine.” He said they would not solicit local growers.

Peters asked if they would sell the marijuana of their members. Brown said: “It’s not necessary, so the answer is no.”

Ed Swift asked: “When you take it off the premises every night, where do you take it?”

Brown said: “We package it up very nicely and we take it home,” safeguarding it under lock and key. He said the medicine would be transported back and forth to Sutter Creek on a daily basis. That’s how it works.”

Robert Allen urged the commission to allow the zoning, saying: “I’d like to see safe access to quality medicine in Sutter Creek.” He said the city’s own ordinance included safety, security, tracking and insurance.

The commission could consider a draft determination on the issue at its regular November meeting.

Story by Jim Reece. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.