EL SEGUNDO HERALD November 17, 2016 Page 3 The Marijuana Question: Where Do We Grow From Here? By Rob McCarthy The grass is greener in the state now that marijuana is legal for adults to use recreationally and to grow at home. Enterprising growers are lining up to get in on the action too, though it will take the State of California awhile to issue licenses. Prop 64 decriminalizes small-scale consumption and cultivation of the leafy-green plant in the Golden State, but only for adults over 21. “The Marijuana Legalization Initiative Statute” was approved by 56 percent of voters statewide and by a slightly wider 58 percent margin in Los Angeles County. The sea change of public opinion about legalizing marijuana appears to be less about personal choice and more about creating additional tax revenue for the state. While the days of buying it from a neighbor or a buddy aren’t going away with the passage of Prop 64, the State now has the authority to tax the sale of marijuana through licensed stores. The State will tax marijuana growers - both medical and recreational - at a rate of $2.75 per ounce of dried leaves. Flowers will be taxed at a higher rate of $9.25 per ounce. Buyers will pay a 15 percent tax at a State-licensed outlet, and local governments can levy their own taxes too. For many Californians, the tipping point for supporting Prop 64 was the new tax revenue for funding youth programs, environmental protection efforts and law enforcement. The path to victory for many, based on interviews, was the State’s own estimate that a regulated marijuana business could mean hundreds of millions of dollars - up to $1 billion per year - in new taxes. State prisons could expect savings as marijuana possession and growing in small amounts was decriminalized. Federal law still classifies marijuana possession, cultivation and selling as a crime, though California’s new law could nudge the federal government to rethink that. However, federally-chartered banks are forbidden from accepting cash from businesses that sell or grow pot. Legal pot growers are shut out of the banking system and must keep large sums of cash on the premises as a result. Or, they keep it off-premises for safekeeping. The threat of robbery and violent crime might escalate as more pot growers and sellers get licensed. Medical marijuana dispensaries would benefit from a change in the federal banking laws, though there’s no word from Washington, D.C. about its position on legalizing marijuana. The Department of Justice chooses not to prosecute more marijuana users and sellers as long as the latter follow state and local laws, California government officials say. What Californians did last week was to commercialize marijuana too. It was a big business already because medical marijuana has been legal since 1996. Now, companies already in the medicinal side of the business can expand their growing and retail operations. One of those - Ocean Grown Extracts - is based here in the South Bay. The Manhattan Beachbased grower and supplier of marijuana-derived products for patients is reportedly looking to move into a vacant prison in Central California where it would grow marijuana and produce cannabis oil. Ocean Grown Extracts makes and sells flavored oils and juice made from THC, the extract from marijuana plants that produces the euphoria or “high” that pain-patient advocates say relieves symptoms from chronic illnesses and late-stage cancer. Ocean Grown Extracts is a player in a California market that is reportedly the largest producer of marijuana in the nation. While proponents of Prop 64 were collecting signatures to qualify the measure for the November 8 ballot, leaders in Sacramento were busy creating an agency to oversee California’s number one cash crop. The newly created Bureau of Medical Marijuana Regulation will create the system to license, regulate and tax the sale of all marijuana. The bureau has its work cut out because the commercial licensing of growers will start in 2018, though the agency could be ready sooner. There are rules about recreational marijuana yet to be drafted, reviewed and approved, according to Lori Ajax, chief of the bureau that’s been in existence only since February. Public hearings will be held as part of the rulemaking process--giving citizens, local government officials, medical and child safety advocates a say in how the marijuana industry operates. For now, it appears that marijuana-growing operations are looking at properties outside populated areas. Desert Hot Springs has created a pot-friendly business environment with passage of local ordinances there. In fact, the desert community near Palm Springs could become the “Silicon Valley of cultivation” of marijuana for use in California and in other states where it’s legal. The Palm Desert City Council originally created its ordinance for the medical marijuana trade. The city allows growing operations and taxes them at $25 per square foot for the first 3,000 square feet, and a reduced $10 per-square-foot tax on additional commercial production space. At least two growers have set up shop in Palm Desert, including Los Angeles-based Pineapple Express. Pineapple Express bought several acres of land in the community and warehouses to grow marijuana. The company’s vice president of business development credited the State for giving companies the green light to enter the marketplace before Prop 64 became law last week. “The legal cannabis industry is a reality,” said Teresa Flynn with Pineapple Express. The creation of the marijuana regulation agency means that legal commercial operators have guidelines to follow for the first time, she said. A Costa Mesa-based cannabis company Visit us online: www.heraldpublications.com See The Question, page 4 Register Today to Hear How West Basin is Exploring Ocean Water Desalination WHEN Saturday, December 10, 2016 from 9:00AM to 10:30AM WHERE Edward C. Little Water Recycling Facility 1935 S. Hughes Way, El Segundo, CA 90245 Guests must register for tours. Space is limited. For reservations, or to inquire about future tours in 2017: EMAIL info@westbasin.org CALL (310) 660-6243 Calendar of Events Deadline for Calendar items is the prior Thursday by noon. Calendar items are $1 per word. Email listings to marketing@ heraldpublications.com. We take Visa and MasterCard. THURSDAY, NOV. 17 • Drop –In Lobby Events: Heritage Quest Ancestry Database, 7:00 PM., free, El Segundo Public Library, 111 W. Mariposa Ave., Call: 310-524-2728. • 8th Annual Ed Foundation’s Ladies Night Out, 6:30 PM. – 9:30 PM., Tickets: $65, Automobile Driving Museum, 610 Lairport St., For more info: esedf.org. FRIDAY, NOV. 18 • Bingo, 1:00 PM. - 3:00 PM, 50 Plus, $3.00 minimum, Senior Club of El Segundo, 339 Sheldon St., Call Helen at: 310-416-9181. • UM Church Harvest Festival, 10:00 AM. – 4:00 PM., 540 Main Street, Homemade Foods, Needlework, Crafts, Grandma’s Attic. SATURDAY, NOV. 19 • Concerts in the Library: The Mighty Echoes –Doo Wop, 2:00 PM., free, El Segundo Public Library, 111 W. Mariposa Ave., Call: 310-524-2728. • Saturday Night Dance, 7:00 PM. – 9:45 PM., Cost: $3.00 Per Person, Adults of all Ages Welcome, Senior Club of El Segundo, 339 Sheldon St., Call: 310-524-2705. • UM Church Harvest Festival, 10:00 AM. – 4:00 PM., Lunch 11:00 AM. – 1:00 PM., 540 Main Street, Homemade Foods, Needlework, Crafts, Grandma’s Attic. • Adopt or Plant a Memory Tree, 1:00 PM. – 3:00 PM., Tree Musketeers, Call: 310- 322-0263/volunteers@treemusketeers.org. SUNDAY, NOV. 20 • Bridge & Pinochle Groups, 11:30 AM. – 3:45 PM, El Segundo Senior Club, 339 Sheldon St., Call Pam at: 310-318-2856. MONDAY, NOV. 21 • Environmental Committee Meeting, 6:00 PM., El Segundo City Hall, 350 Main Street, Call: 310-524-2365. • El Segundo Police Dept. - Coyote Education Meeting, 7:00 PM., City Council Chambers, 350 Main Street. Speakers from California Dept. of Fish & Wildlife will be there. Call: 310-524-2231, if you have any sightings of coyotes in the area. • Canasta Group, 12:00 PM. – 3:00 PM., 50 Plus, Free, Senior Club of El Segundo, 339 Sheldon St., Call Pam at: 310-318-2856. • Thanksgiving Break – No School –ESUSD • 2016 Spark of Love Toy Drive, Runs from Nov. 21 – Dec. 15th, Please donate toys and non-perishable food items to El Segundo Fire Dept., 314 Main Street, Downtown El Segundo. TUESDAY, NOV. 22 • Thanksgiving Break – No School -ESUSD WEDNESDAY, NOV. 23 • Bowling, 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM, 50 Plus, Senior Club of El Segundo, Gable House Bowl, 22501 Hawthorne Blvd., Torrance, Cost: $8.00 for 3 games, Call Joyce at: 310-322-7621. • Care for Community Trees, 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM., Tree Musketeers, call: 310-322-0263/ volunteers@treemusketeers.org. • Thanksgiving Break – No School -ESUSD THURSDAY, NOV. 24 • HAPPY THANKSGIVING!! • Thanksgiving Break – No School –ESUSD FRIDAY, NOV. 25 • Thanksgiving Break – No School –ESUSD • El Segundo Public Library – CLOSED • Bingo, 1:00 PM. - 3:00 PM., 50 Plus, $3.00 minimum, Senior Club of El Segundo, 339 Sheldon St., Call Helen at: 310-416-9181. SATURDAY, NOV. 26 • Saturday Night Dance, 7:00 PM. – 9:45 PM., Cost: $3.00 Per Person, Adults of all Ages Welcome, Senior Club of El Segundo, 339 Sheldon St., Call: 310-524-2705. SUNDAY, NOV. 27 • Bridge & Pinochle Groups, 11:30 AM. – 3:45 PM, El Segundo Senior Club, 339 Sheldon St., Call Pam at: 310-318-2856. MONDAY, NOV. 28 • Canasta Group, 12:00 PM. – 3:00 PM., 50 Plus, Free, Senior Club of El Segundo, 339 Sheldon St., Call Pam at: 310-318-2856. TUESDAY, NOV. 29 • Oversized Vehicle Community Meeting (Hosted by the ESPD.), 6:00 PM., El Segundo City Council Chambers, 350 Main Street. WEDNESDAY, NOV. 30 • Bowling, 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM, 50 Plus, Senior Club of El Segundo, Gable House Bowl, 22501 Hawthorne Blvd., Torrance, Cost: $8.00 for 3 games, Call Joyce at: 310-322-7621. • Care for Community Trees, 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM., Tree Musketeers, call: 310-322-0263/ volunteers@treemusketeers.org. • Special Meeting for the Senior Housing Board at Park Vista, 7:00 PM. – 9:00 PM., El Segundo. (covers 2 meetings that are cancelled on 11-23 & 12-28) THURSDAY, DEC. 1 • Holiday Tree Lighting, 3:00 PM. – 7:00 PM., Tree is lit at 5:30 PM., City Hall Plaza & Main Street, Lots of FUN for Everyone! Call: 310-524-2700. • 2016 Holiday Mixer (sponsored by El Segundo Chamber of Commerce), 5:30 PM. – 7:30 PM., $5 for members and $10 for non-members, Citizens Business Bank, 275 Main Street, Downtown El Segundo. • El Segundo Historical Committee Meeting, 7:00 PM., El Segundo Public Library, 111 W. Mariposa Ave., Call: 310-640-8923. UPCOMING EVENTS: DEC. 3 • Beach Cities Swing Band - Dance to a live big band w/vocalist at the ES Women’s Club, 7:00 PM. – 9:30 PM., 541 Sheldon St., Only $15/couple & $10/person, with FREE COFFEE, All ages welcome. Call: 310-654-7829. • IMAGINE If We Could Turn Ocean Water Into Drinking Water Learn how West Basin is exploring responsible ocean water desalination to broaden water supply options and ensure water reliability, while protecting the marine ecosystem. Receive a thought-provoking educational briefing that gives you an inside look at our technologically advanced waste water facility and purification systems, similar to desalination processes. Reservations are required to attend. All guests must be at least seven years of age or older. Tour participants must wear flat, closed-toe shoes for safety.
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