Marijuana cultivation: reduced penalty.

Existing law requires that every person who plants, cultivates, harvests, dries, or processes any marijuana, or any part thereof, except as otherwise provided by law, be punished by imprisonment in the state prison. This bill would make that crime punishable by imprisonment in a county jail for a period of not more than one year or by imprisonment in the state prison. By changing the penalty for this crime to authorize imprisonment in a county jail, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program. The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.