Measure W, a controversial Nevada County proposition that would have upheld a ban on outdoor marijuana cultivation, was defeated last night. Our Truckee-based reporter Amy Westervelt headed to the polls to see what local voters had to say about it.
Measure W was put on the ballot in an effort to reinforce a ban the Nevada County Board of Supervisors passed back in January. But the ban won't necessarily be overturned now that voters have said no to W. It could remain in place until the county supervisors decide to change it.
Most Truckee voters were opposed to Measure W.
"You know, whether you grow marijuana or smoke marijuana, that's not really the issue," said Charity Shelby, a Truckee resident and mom to two young kids. "The issue is how much control the government has over us."
Shelby added that regulating how marijuana is cultivated puts the cart before the horse. "Why is that the issue instead of whether or not to legalize marijuana? I'd like to see us farther along on that, like other states are."
Alison Murray, another Truckee resident, agreed. "No on W!" she said. "I just think the restrictions aren't appropriate and haven't been well thought out for Nevada County."
But Glenn Patterson, a young Republican voter, said the ban makes it easier to regulate medical marijuana. "If we find a field we don't have to wonder if it's illegal or not, we can just say 'it's outside, therefore it's illegal.'"
The vote was close, with about 10,000 voting now and about 8,000 voting yes.** This month, local residents will be waiting to see if the board of supervisors changes the ban now that voters have spoken.
