The Coast News, January 4, 2019

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PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID ENCINITAS, CA 92024 PERMIT NO. 94

THE COAST NEWS

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EMBRACING

SERVING NORTH COUNTY SINCE 1987

JAN. 4, 2019

SAN Chesterfield MARCOS crossing closed -NEWS for three weeks

HEMP

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By Carey Blakely

Legalization of hemp draws praise from local farmers, advocates

By Aaron Burgin

REGION — For farmers, consumers and advocates of hemp, 2018 ended with a high note that could be a potential game changer in 2019. President Donald Trump in December authorized the 2018 federal farm bill, which removed hemp — the nonpsychoactive variety of cannabis — from the federal government’s list of controlled substances. The farm bill could be the catalyst that opens up a multi-billion-dollar industry, as food and beverage giants, cosmetic lines and tobacco companies have begun positioning themselves in the hemp market. Locally, industry advocates and farmers have reacted positively to the news,

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but said they are waiting to see the federal, state and local regulations that will govern the industry. “I think it was a step that was needed because it has been so difficult to produce,” said Bob Echter, owner of Encinitas largest cut flower grower, Dramm and Echter. “It’s a great product from everything that I can see. For the purpose of moving farmers further toward profitability, it is good. There’s not a good reason to have it banned.” Hemp contains cannabidiol, or CBD, a compound that’s popular for its medicinal properties, and contains low amounts of THC, the compound in cannabis that gets people “high.” Jerri Lyne Nachman, a TURN TO HEMP ON A7

The rail crossing at Chesterfield Drive in Cardiff will be completely closed to motor THE vehicles from Jan. 2 through Jan. VISTA 23 to allow for the construction of NEWS bicycle and pedestrian pathways, the installation of rail-crossing gates and signals, and other related work. During the closure, pedestrians and bicyclists will still have access across the intersection, and rail service will continue as usual. The Chesterfield inRANCHO tersection improvements SFNEWS form one component of the SANDAG San Elijo Lagoon Double Track Project, which will add about 1.5 miles of double-tracked railroad from northern Solana Beach to Cardiff by late spring. Jim Linthicum, director of mobility management and project implementation at SANDAG, said the organization’s goal is to simultaneously construct and complete the Cardiff sections of both

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PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP recently signed a $867 billion farm bill into law, legalizing hemp and CBD, and ushering in a new age for the cannabis industry. Courtesy photo

TURN TO CHESTERFIELD ON A3

Carlsbad files suit against county over airport plan By Steve Puterski

CARLSBAD — Nearly one month ago, the city of Carlsbad filed a lawsuit against the San Diego County Board of Supervisors over the approval of the McClellan-Palomar Master Plan. The suit, filed on Dec. THE CITY of Carlsbad filed a lawsuit Dec. 6 requesting an 6, requests for an injuncinjunction against the San Diego County Board of Super- tion to prevent the county visor’s approval of the McClellan-Palomar Airport Master from going forward with its plan to upgrade the airPlan. Photo by Steve Puterski

port to a D-III designation, along with alleging the county’s failure to comply with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). The supervisors approved the plan on Oct. 10 in a 4-0 vote. Supervisor Kristin Gaspar recused herself since she owns property near the airport. On Oct. 23, the City Council met in a closed

session with the City Attorney’s office and outside counsel, the Denver-based firm of Kaplan, Kirsch and Rockwell, and voted 3-2 to take an “aggressive approach” to “protect the city’s rights.” The suit claims the county received more than 100 letters from state and local agencies and residents regarding significant deficiencies with the PEIR.

A revised PEIR was re-circulated in the summer and the final PEIR was released less than two weeks before the supervisors’ vote. Carlsbad contends the county failed to comply with CEQA, did not employ baselines for environmental reviews, did not provide adequate analysis of potential significant impacts TURN TO AIRPORT ON A6


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