New smoking rules passed in Orland

One political lesson learned by students in Orland is that perseverance and patience can pay off.
The Orland City Council voted Monday night to pass new rules limiting smoking in public places. The vote was 3-2, after eight discussions and multiple rewrites of suggestions made by students in October.
The ordinance will prohibit smoking within 20 feet of the main entrance of a business, as well as in parks and outdoor eateries. The fine is $25.
Designated areas will be determined and later set aside for smoking at parks.
Members of Students Working Against Tobacco, which has groups in three Glenn County high schools, made the pitch to the council with the help of public health leaders. The students had collected signatures and gathered cigarette butts from around town.
Over the past several months, councilors discussed the proposed rules, including listening to concerns the rules would be difficult to enforce or would involve business owners in enforcement.
Councilors suggested several changes along the way, including clarifications that police would be responsible for enforcement, and would ensure that more pressing public safety issues were given priority. Also, the no-smoking rules only apply to the main entrance, not to a back door of a shop.
"It did take a long time," said Mayor Wade Elliott, who voted for the rules along with councilors Bruce Roundy and Jim Paschall. Counselors Dennis Hoffman and Charles Gee voted no.
The changes were made to ensure it was still legal to smoke, but not in high-traffic public areas, Elliott said.
Enforcement will be complaint driven.
"One of the compromises was we wanted to protect the business owners," so only the smoker can be fined, not a business owner, the mayor explained.
Sharon Lazorko, public health program coordinator, worked with the students to approach the City Council. The students were "very pleased," she said.
Before the vote Monday, student Dinesh Khalasi addressed the Council, mentioning each councilor by name. He thanked those who had shown support throughout the approval process, and stated that when passed the ordinance could be self-enforced without much need for law enforcement.
Khalasi said students would follow through by continuing to educate the public and providing signs to businesses. He said the goal is to prevent the next generation of young people from becoming smokers.
Medical marijuana rules move forward
The Council also unanimously accepted the first reading of proposed rules for medical marijuana.
The first part would prohibit marijuana collectives and dispensaries under business and land use rules.
City Attorney Greg Einhorn explained that state courts have upheld that Proposition 215, which allows medical marijuana use, never intended to allow dispensaries.
The second part would establish nuisance rules when marijuana is grown for personal medicinal use, and will likely pass at the next council meeting, Elliott said.
Public safety was the main concern, due to theft and violence that can occur around marijuana plants.
The rules include minimum setbacks, alarm systems and growing areas that are locked and obscured.