Downstroke

Medpot co-op gets growing: The Butte Alliance for Medical Marijuana (BAMM) recently announced its intention to operate a nonprofit co-operative that will distribute low-cost cannabis to patients who qualify under Proposition 215, California’s medical-marijuana initiative.

Sushie Rose, a BAMM volunteer, said the group ran an experimental collective grow last year with implicit approval from Butte County sheriffs and district attorney investigators. Rose said she couldn’t talk about how many patients were served last year or what they were charged for their medicine but stressed that the group was not interested in making money. Rose also said BAMM checks out the doctor’s recommendation of every potential member to screen out non-patients.

“These people need medicine,” she said. “So many patients have had to make the choice between paying their rent or utilities or food and buying medicine. We don’t want them to have to make that choice.”

Ruling from beyond the grave: The older of two teens convicted last month of desecrating hundreds of graves in the historic part of Chico’s cemetery was sentenced to 183 days in the Butte County Jail Monday. He has already served about four months and with good behavior should be out within 30 days.

While Judge Stephen Benson could have laid down a harsher term for 19-year-old Avery Vance Williams, including state prison time, he ultimately was swayed by letters of support from Williams’ friends, family and former Fair View High teachers. Williams and a 17-year-old accomplice were nabbed after getting drunk the night of Oct. 1 and smashing or otherwise defacing approximately 250 grave markers. Williams will also serve five years’ probation and have to contact seven elderly people to ask them questions about their lives.

The juvenile, whose name is being withheld, is currently serving 60 days in Juvenile Hall. Both kids will also have to pay for a portion of the damage they caused, estimated at around $300,000.

Where all the fun begins: The state department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) suspended the licenses of two student-friendly liquor stores this week for allegedly selling booze to minors. Ray’s Liquor on Walnut and Star Liquors on Nord will both have to go dry, for periods of 20 and 30 days, respectively. It was the second strike for both stores—one more violation for either and the state could yank its liquor license.

Start diggin': It has been said there are two types of people—those with guns and those who dig. Which type are you? Maybe a glance at the Department of Toxic Substance Control’s plan to clean up the old gun range near Horseshoe Lake in Bidwell Park will clue you in. In any case, the plan, which includes either moving or removing more than 5,000 cubic yards of soil, is up for public review until Jan. 13. Check it out at CSUC’s Meriam Library or the Chico branch of the Butte County Public Library on Sherman Avenue.