Traditional farmers are rallying against a novel June ballot measure in Lake County that would extend “right to farm” protections to medical marijuana growers.

Right-to-farm laws are intended to protect agricultural operations from nuisance complaints that could threaten their viability. This is the first time an attempt is being made to apply the law to marijuana cultivation, farming and pot advocates say.

“Marijuana is not an agricultural crop. It doesn’t deserve that right,” said Peter Bradford, a Mendocino County rancher and California Farm Bureau director for Lake and Mendocino counties.

Proponents of Measure D, the Medical Marijuana Cultivation Act of 2012, disagree.

While it’s not officially recognized as a farm crop by state or federal authorities, “it is a farm product,” said Don Merrill, spokesman for the pro-Measure D group. The ballot measure is sponsored by the Lake County Green Farmers Association, a group of medical marijuana growers.

Measure D also would allow pot growers to cultivate up to 12 mature marijuana plants in residential backyards of less than a half acre outside city limits in Lake County. More plants could be grown on larger parcels, with a maximum of 84 plants on properties that are seven acres or more. It’s opposed by county and police officials, the local Sierra Club and the Chamber of Commerce in addition to farm bureaus. Many fear it will lower property values and increase pot-related crime.

“The biggest problem I have is the fact they want to be allowed to grow (outside) in residential neighborhoods,” said Lake County Supervisor Rob Brown. Many cities prohibit outdoor marijuana growing because it attracts theft and the smell can be powerful, even sickening to some people.

County officials are concerned they won’t be able to intervene when pot growers create nuisances for their neighbors if Measure D is approved by voters.

Farmers fear Measure D would dilute right-to-farm laws, which help protect established farms from nuisance complaints made by people who move to rural areas and then are surprised to learn that normal agricultural operations can generate dust, noise and smells.

It’s unclear how or whether Measure D would conflict with state codes, but Lake County officials have threatened to abolish their local right-to-farm regulations if it’s approved.

Farmers worked hard to get right-to farm regulations passed, said Dave Rosenthal, Lake County Farm Bureau’s second vice-president.

He said it’s not right for marijuana growers to attempt to gain those farming protections for plants that are not officially recognized as an agricultural crop and are not currently subjected to farming restrictions on water and pesticide use.

“They want the shield of farming but they don’t want to have to play by the rules,” Rosenthal said.

Mendocino and Lake county farmers are joining forces to oppose Measure D. Their financial contributions will help hire a consultant to assist with the campaign, Brown said. California Farm Bureau funding also is expected, Rosenthal said.

Merrill, the spokesman for the yes on Measure D campaign said that so far the group has spent about $32,000, including $12,000 to gather signatures and $10,000 for its referendum effort that prompted the Board of Supervisors to repeal the county’s marijuana ordinance rather face the cost of a special election said. The Green Farmers also have committed $2,000 to a Measure D supporter who is running for county supervisor, Joan Moss, he said. Moss is running against Brown in the June election.

The newly formed opposition campaign has spent about $8,000, Brown said.

Farm officials fear that marijuana growers throughout the state will seek right-to-farm protections should voters pass Measure D. “There’s a lot to lose here,” said Mendocino County Agricultural Commissioner Chuck Morse.

Merrill said the naysayers are overreacting. He said right-to-farm regulations apply only to long-standing farms, so they won’t interfere with the county’s ability to crack down on nuisances created by pot cultivation.

And Lake County residents should welcome the limits on marijuana cultivation. Currently, there are no local restrictions, the result of the referendum effort..

“This would be a solution,” Merrill said.

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