Pubdate: Tue, 01 Feb 2011
Source: Fresno Bee, The (CA)
Copyright: 2011 The Fresno Bee
Contact:  http://www.fresnobee.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/161
Note: Does not publish letters from outside their circulation area.
Author: Kurtis Alexander
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?115 (Cannabis - California)

MIMS: POT BUSTS ON PUBLIC LAND ARE WORKING

A recent crackdown on marijuana in the Sierra Nevada is slowing the 
spread of illegal drug cultivation on public lands, Fresno County 
Sheriff Margaret Mims reported to the Board of Supervisors today.

The Sheriff's Office has partnered with state and federal law 
enforcement agencies during the past four years to identify marijuana 
plots, clear the plants and clean up once-pristine areas in national 
parks, forest service lands and farmland.

Two major stings in the past two years have netted about a half 
million plants and led to dozens of arrests and prosecutions in 
Fresno County, according to the Sheriff's Office.

"What we're doing is working," Mims said. "To the folks that want to 
do it again, we're going to be right back up there."

The marijuana plots can cause environmental damage, as water is 
diverted to raise the plants and natural landscapes are ruined, and 
threaten public safety. Growers often are armed, sheriff's officials said.

Mims said many growers are operating under "the guise" of growing 
medical marijuana, which is legal under certain conditions in California.

Supervisors are working to create a medical marijuana ordinance that 
is expected to outline what what is acceptable in Fresno County.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom