The Lake County Deputy Sheriff’s Association urges the citizens of Lake County to join us in a “yes” vote for Measure N.

A yes vote would approve the ballet item and would assist in giving county law enforcement the ability to abate cultivation sites within densely populated residential neighborhoods.

Regardless of your stance on the legalization of marijuana, the cultivation does bring inherently dangerous elements into the neighborhoods which include, home invasion robberies, assaults with deadly weapons, shootings, vandalism, property damage etc.

Measure N is only a land use ordinance and would regulate where in the county marijuana can be grown outdoors.

The No. 1 priority for Lake County Deputy Sheriff’s Association is to assure the citizens of Lake County are safe.

It is our opinion, if passed, Measure N would greatly assist local law enforcement and county of Lake environmental officials with the ability to help secure the safety of its citizens, and assist in combating the overwhelming negative environmental impact these large scale grows have caused.

One thing that needs to be asked is … Is Lake County a better, safer, cleaner place with or without outdoor marijuana cultivation?

This is nothing new, the California Supreme Court has ruled that cities and counties can pass local laws and ordinances which regulate marijuana cultivation and distribution.

We are not the only county or city attempting to regulate marijuana cultivation, over 70 cities and counties throughout California have, or are attempting to ban/regulate outdoor marijuana cultivation due to the nuisance issues.

Some communities, such as the city of Lakeport, city of Ripon, city of Roseville, Sacramento County, Fresno County, King County, have passed ordinance’s which bans all outdoor marijuana cultivation.

Measure N does not ban outdoor cultivation, only regulates where it can be grown.

If outdoor marijuana cultivation was not a safety or environmental issue, then why are so many cities and counties throughout California attempting to come up with a solution?

Again, join the Lake County Deputy Sheriff’s Association in a “YES” vote for Measure N on June 3.  Let’s take care of our communities, together.

John Drewrey is president of the Lake County Deputy Sheriff’s Association.