Pubdate: Thu, 17 Apr 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
Cited: California NORML http://www.norml.org
Cited: The opposition http://www.nomeasureb.org/
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?115 (Marijuana - California)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/topic/Mendocino

ADVOCACY GROUPS BACK EFFORTS TO DEFEAT POT MEASURE

UKIAH - Outside groups favoring legalization of marijuana are 
bankrolling opposition to a local ballot measure aimed at repealing 
Mendocino County's liberalized pot guidelines.

The San Francisco office of the National Reform of Marijuana Laws 
(NORML) has put up $1,000, and is likely to contribute more, 
according to representatives. In addition, a Santa Rosa-based 
marijuana advocacy group called Organic Cannabis Foundation has 
contributed $500 toward local efforts to defeat Measure B on the June 
primary ballot.

Despite the outside contributions, local supporters of the repeal 
drive are out spending opponents by a nearly 5-1 margin. So far, Yes 
on Measure B has collected nearly $11,000 from local donors.

Measure B would repeal current guidelines allowing individuals to 
grow up to 25 marijuana plants per person, and impose more 
restrictive state standards of six plants per person.

The Mendocino marijuana fight is overshadowing other key local races 
in the June primary, including three races for seats on the county 
Board of Supervisors.

Just as Mendocino's 2000 vote to locally legalize pot for personal 
use was a national first, marijuana advocates fear its repeal will 
once again put the county in the spotlight but for the wrong reasons.

Dale Geiringer, NORML's executive director, said Measure B supporters 
are targeting the wrong people with their anger over large-scale 
commercial marijuana growing operations.

"Legitimate medical marijuana growers will be turned into criminals 
instead of really big operators," said Geiringer. 
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake