Pubdate: Thu, 25 Jun 2015
Source: North Coast Journal (Arcata, CA)
Column: The Week in Weed
Copyright: 2015 North Coast Journal
Contact:  http://www.northcoastjournal.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2833
Author: Grant Scott-Goforth

MARIJUANA NOTABLES IN THE YEAR'S FIRST BIG RAID

The largest law enforcement operation against Humboldt County 
marijuana growers of the year was underway just a day after summer began.

Officers from the Humboldt, Mendocino and Trinity county sheriff's 
offices descended on Island Mountain, a remote region at the 
convergence of the three counties where marijuana growers have 
operated for decades, serving search warrants and taking down 
approximately 8,000 plants at three or four sites on Monday, June 22.

Humboldt County Sheriff's Lt. Wayne Hanson said the operation would 
likely continue through the week, though he declined to say how many 
search warrants would be served in total. Agents from California Fish 
and Wildlife and the regional water board visited the sites as well. 
As of press time, Hanson said no one had been arrested and no 
"critical incidents" had taken place.

News of the raid reverberated through southeastern Humboldt as large 
convoys were spotted heading out on rural roads, and California 
Cannabis Voice Humboldt Executive Director Richard Marks confirmed on 
Tuesday morning that members of his organization were among those 
targeted in the raids. CCVH, as the Journal has reported, is a 
political action committee that's been attempting to bring growers 
out of the shadows and influence local and statewide marijuana 
legislation. The group hosted Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom at a marijuana 
farm last month and has been working on a proposed ordinance for 
outdoor cultivation in Humboldt County that received the ire of 
environmental groups.

Marks said some of the CCVH's large financial donors were the 
recipients of Monday's search warrants, but he declined to say who.

Marks said the raids were "totally unexpected," and that he was 
frustrated by news that CCVH members were being investigated. "I 
don't understand the timing," he said. "They're going after - in this 
case - private landowners. We've already said we're against trespass 
grows. Why aren't they going after the cartel grows?"

Hanson said the Island Mountain area was selected because of citizen 
complaints and sheriff's office observations of the area from 
helicopter flyovers. He said the sites were commercial marijuana 
greenhouses that caused environmental damage and were likely sources 
of illegal water diversion. "There's issues like this in all four 
corners of Humboldt County," he said, adding that the operation is no 
different than busts the sheriff's office has been running for 30 
years, and that the county's eradication efforts will continue through 2015.

Marks all but suggested that the CCVH members served in the raids 
were unfairly targeted, saying he had thought law enforcement had 
sharpened its focus on grows with illegal grading, pollution, water 
diversion and other environmental degradations, sites where "we're 
happy that law enforcement would go after them." But, he said, "To go 
after private owners who are trying to comply - it just seems 
counterproductive."

Marks, addressing rumors, said it was unclear if law enforcement 
targeted CCVH members for their involvement in the organization. "I 
sure hope not," he said. "But then the other part of me says, 
[police] know who they are."

Hezekiah Allen, the executive director of the Emerald Growers 
Association, expressed concerns in a press release issued the day 
after the raids began.

"Today, [law enforcement] activity is ever more concerning because so 
many of our community members have courageously stepped forward and 
publicly proclaimed themselves farmers. They are seeking regulation, 
seeking increased collaboration with government agencies and research 
institutions."

Marks echoed that sentiment.

"CCVH is quite concerned," he said. "We're trying to do something 
positive for the community. I sure hope this doesn't harm the 
organization. I suppose it already has. It's put people behind the 
shadows again."
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom