Pubdate: Sun, 19 Aug 2007
Source: Eureka Reporter, The (CA)
Copyright: 2007 The Eureka Reporter
Contact:  http://www.eurekareporter.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3289
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?115 (Cannabis - California)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mmj.htm (Cannabis - Medicinal)

SUPES MULL LETTER OF SUPPORT FOR LEGALIZING MARIJUANA

Following a three-week summer break, the Humboldt  County Board of 
Supervisors will return to the board  chamber Tuesday morning at 9 to 
tackle a hefty agenda  of items, reports and hearings.

The board will take up a discussion of whether to send  a letter to 
U.S. Rep. Mike Thompson (D-St. Helena)  requesting help in getting 
federal lawmakers to  initiate legislation in support of legalizing, 
regulating and taxation what the report says is a  multibillion-dollar crop.

According to the board agenda reports, local  governments, which are 
in need of identifying stable  revenue sources, could greatly benefit 
from the  legalization and taxing of marijuana.

"Humboldt County, like many other local governments  throughout the 
nation, struggles with the issues  associated with the legitimate 
medicinal use of  marijuana, while advocating for the prosecution of 
criminal behavior associated with illegal large-scale  marijuana 
operations," the report states.

The board is also scheduled to receive a report from  county Health 
Officer Ann Lindsay on the status of the  county's six needle 
exchange programs. Also to be  discussed will be the declining rate 
of acute hepatitis  B cases in the county.

Also on deck at 9:30 a.m. is the annual report from the  Humboldt 
County Human Rights Commission.

The report is part of the commission's outreach and  education work 
in response to community concerns over  civilian oversight of law 
enforcement activities,  according to a letter to the board from HRC 
Chairperson  Richard Botzler.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom