To whom it may concern,

The Washington State Affiliate of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws would like to submit the attached report to be placed on the record & provided to the planning department and county council in response to Snohomish county’s recently enacted ordinance (14-086) preventing marijuana production from taking place on R-5 zoned properties.

We strongly support the repeal of this ordinance and would also like to remind Snohomish County officials that as they consider what action to take this next Wednesday that they should remember the will of the voters who brought them into office who also approved I-502 by 54.6%.

We are aware that there exists a rather vocal minority in opposition of all marijuana businesses in the county, but disallowing property owners in Snohomish from earning a living on their own property through legal production of marijuana would be akin to telling Snohomish county cattle farmers that they can no longer raise cattle on their property due to the objections of a few animal rights activists, or telling a private mill owner that they can’t earn a living on their property due to the objections of a few environmental activists.  The reality is that marijuana production & processing, cattle farming, & milling lumber are all legal activities that should be allowed despite the moral objection of a few.

We urge Snohomish County Council to repeal this ordinance, considering only the facts rather than unfounded fears, perceived impacts, and the moral objections of a few.

Best Regards,

Crystal Oliver

Executive Assistant

Washington NORML

www.wanorml.org