Why am I voting no on Measure O?

Measure O would eliminate Lake County’s “family friendly” ambiance; it would destroy tourism and hospitality and bring the newly developing wine tourism industry to a halt; it would deter investors and developers from considering Lake County and it would reek havoc on our pristine environment and worsen the impact of nutrient loading in our Lake.

Measure O would change the face of Lake County forever.

I am not OK with that.

I am not OK with a regulation that would expose the children of Lake County to marijuana in their backyards, in their neighborhoods and in their communities.

I am not OK with putting the safety of local citizens at a greater risk from intimidation and violence and making it difficult for local residents to file complaints against nuisance marijuana growers.

I am not OK with the smell and odor or the excessive use of water. One plant uses 12 gallons per plant per day for six months, as stated by local cannabis grower Dave from Arizona who is promoting the “economics of cannabis cultivation” here in Lake County.

I am not interested in protecting the cannabis cultivation business of “out of county” growers who make a morally unethical choice to put profit over people.

Measure O, the “Medicinal Marijuana Control Act” pretends to care about the rights of individuals in need of medicinal marijuana, but Measure O is written by marijuana growing profiteers and guarantees huge profits for those seeking their fortune in cannabis cultivation in our Lake County.

No on Measure O is endorsed by the Lake County Deputy Sheriff's Association, the Lake County Farm Bureau and the Lake County Chamber of Commerce, and is supported by county officials, law enforcement and your good neighbors.

I urge you to join me in voting no on O. Let’s keep Lake County family friendly.

For more information visit www.protectourlakecounty.com .

Monica Rosenthal lives in Middletown, Calif., and is an officer of the newly formed Protect Our Lake County Committee to oppose measures O and P.