Pinal County supervisors vote to allow dairy to grow marijuana

Before the February 18 meeting of the Pinal County Board of Supervisor, Supervisor Cheryl Chase told constituents that she is “not and have never been in favor of medical marijuana and will not be in favor of it for recreational use,” after rumors circulated that all members of the Board were going to support an ordinance change that would allow Sidewinder Dairy, of Casa Grande, to grow marijuana.

The ordinance did pass, but not unanimously. Supervisors Anthony Smith, Stephen Miller and Todd House voted to approve the ordinance.

Initially, the supervisors were asked to consider allowing the growing of marijuana on 10 acres, with a review of the allowance to occur after two years. The supervisors settled on a compromise which is five acres, with a review of the allowance to occur after one year.

According to InMaricopa.com, the proposal allowing Sidewinder Dairy to become “a marijuana cultivation site must come back before the board. The ordinance approved Wednesday allows the outdoor cultivation of medical marijuana with a special use permit and adds larger setbacks from residential areas,” reports InMaricopa.com.

Residents were stunned by the decision and Pinal County Attorney Lando Voyles joined them in opposition.

Todd House became belligerent in defense of is vote, claiming that opponents should classify potatoes as a drug because of obesity issues from eating french fries.

One resident described the meeting afterward, “What surprised me was the fact that 3 republican supervisors voted in favor of the resolution. The hearing room was crowded with citizens. It was obvious to me that the minds had been made up in advance.”