On Tuesday, April 28th, Assemblymember Jim Wood’s Marijuana Watershed Protection Act (AB 243) was passed by the members of the Assembly Environmental Health and Toxic Waste Committee.
“I am pleased to have the support of my colleagues on this issue. The environmental impacts of growing marijuana are substantial. This Bill is a critical first step towards protecting our fragile watersheds. Northern California, where the vast majority of marijuana is grown, also happens to be the source of a large portion of the State’s water supply. To have an industry of this size with no rules and guidelines governing operation is irresponsible and unacceptable.” said Wood.
AB 243 seeks to provide statewide environmental regulations around medical marijuana for the first time since the Compassionate Use Act (Proposition 215) was passed by California voters in 1996.
Assemblymember Wood said, “The Bill still has a long way to go and already has undergone some major changes, but I am pleased with the progress so far and I am especially encouraged by the growing awareness on the part of my colleagues regarding this growing environmental disaster.”
AB 243 was passed by the Assembly Environmental Safety and Toxic Waste Committee by a vote of 6-0. The Bill now moves on to the Assembly Appropriations Committee.
Elected in 2014, Assemblymember Jim Wood (D- Healdsburg) represents the 2nd Assembly District, which includes all of Del Norte, Trinity, Humboldt and Mendocino counties, plus northern and coastal Sonoma County, including the northern half of Santa Rosa.