Pubdate: Wed, 9 Jan 2008
Source: Press Democrat, The (Santa Rosa, CA)
Copyright: 2008 The Press Democrat
Contact:  http://www.pressdemo.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/348
Author: Mike Geniella, The Press Democrat
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/topics/Measure+G
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?115 (Marijuana - California)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mmj.htm (Marijuana - Medicinal)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/decrim.htm (Decrim/Legalization)

MENDOCINO COUNTY VOTERS TO REASSESS POT LAW IN JUNE ELECTION

UKIAH - Mendocino County voters in June will decide the fate of a 
7-year-old landmark marijuana ordinance that was the first in the 
nation to decriminalize personal use of pot.

At the end of a contentious three-hour public hearing Tuesday, the 
county Board of Supervisors voted 4-1 to put Measure G up for voter 
review in the June 3 primary.

"It's a big step toward regaining control of our county," said Ross 
Liberty, an organizer of a citizen drive to repeal Measure G.

Tuesday's vote capped weeks of public debate on how to rid Mendocino 
County of its national reputation as a haven for marijuana growers, 
blamed in large part on Measure G's passage in 2000 and liberal local 
law enforcement policies that followed.

Measure G doesn't specifically address medical marijuana limits but 
rather allows up to 25 plants per person for personal use without 
fear of prosecution. Under current medical pot rules, Mendocino 
County allows a licensed user to possess two pounds of dried pot. 
Sonoma County allows three pounds per user, while Lake County follows 
recommended state guidelines allowing one-half pound.

The Mendocino County board's vote Tuesday signaled that current 
county marijuana policies are likely to dominate this year's local 
elections, including races for three seats on the county board.

Board incumbents Jim Wattenburger, Mike Delbar and Kendall Smith were 
joined by Supervisor John Pinches in deciding to give voters a second 
crack at Measure G. Supervisor David Colfax voted no, contending 
backers of the repeal Measure G drive should be required to go 
through a lengthy and potentially costly signature-gathering process 
to get the measure on the ballot.

"We're not deciding. We're simply allowing the voter to decide," 
Wattenburger said.

Tuesday's board vote followed three hours of public debate, including 
strenuous objections from longtime local advocates of decriminalizing 
marijuana for personal and medical uses.

"The rights of cannabis patients are at stake," said medical 
marijuana advocate Beth Bosk.

Nearly 40 people spoke to the board during Tuesday's hearing held in 
typical Mendocino County fashion.

Speakers ranged from pot advocate "Professor Ping Pong" to rural 
residents fearful of dope growers operating down the road. A few 
members of the audience wore T-shirts proclaiming "It's Only a 
Plant," while others waved placards in support of Measure G. 
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake