Pubdate: Wed, 22 Apr 2009
Source: Times-Standard (Eureka, CA)
Copyright: 2009 Times-Standard
Contact: http://www.times-standard.com/writeus
Website: http://www.times-standard.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1051
Author: Jessie Faulkner, The Times-Standard
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?115 (Marijuana - California)

DEBATE OVER FEDERAL DRUG-FIGHTING DOLLARS

The annual financial agreement between the federal Drug Enforcement
Administration and the county got the Board of Supervisors' nod
Tuesday, but not before a little debate.

The DEA is providing $180,000 to assist with salary costs in marijuana
eradication efforts.

The item was pulled from the consent calendar for further discussion.
Second District Supervisor Clif Clendenen, noting that the DEA funds
were used for the most egregious cases, moved to approve the agreement.

However, 3rd District Supervisor Mark Lovelace said he had a few
questions about the agreement, but noted the sheriff wasn't present.

During his campaign, Lovelace said, the status of marijuana
cultivation was a primary issue. Many supported medical marijuana, but
noted the impacts of unregulated growing operations. Lovelace said he
wanted to know the distinction between legal and illegal cultivation
in the agreement.

The item was temporarily postponed until Undersheriff Mike Downey
could attend the session.

The DEA funds are used to focus more on large-scale commercial grows,
Downey said, noting that in the past the funds had been used to
supplement the drug enforcement unit. The unit, he said, isn't going
to waste time and resources on 215 grows.

In other business, the board approved District Attorney Paul Gallegos'
request to apply for a Edward Byrne Memorial Assistance grant to
finance the department's forensic computer examiner, an existing
position in the department.

In his report to the board, Gallegos said the state had disbanded its
state-managed computer crimes task force that provided funds for the
position. The application for the $189,068 grant is being submitted in
cooperation with the cities of Eureka, Arcata and Fortuna.

Gallegos said the funds would cover two years of the computer
examiner's salary and about 18 percent of a third year.

During the public comment section, David Elsebusch of McKinleyville
stated his opposition to the grant application noting that the cost of
the position would fall to the county after grant funds were exhausted.

Gallegos countered that the position was invaluable to prosecuting
crimes, and the examiner has assisted with cases in Del Norte, Trinity
and Mendocino counties.

There are fewer and fewer serious criminal cases when computer
forensic analysis is not essential, Gallegos said.

The board agreed and voted unanimously to authorize the grant
application. 
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake