By CONNIE KORBEL Of The Mendocino Beacon -
On Tuesday, June 3, Mendocino County voters will decide whether Measure G, the 2000 Mendocino County compassionate medical marijuana initiative, should be replaced with Measure B. If passed, Measure B would establish the state's lower grow and possession limits. For some, the change is not perceived as so simple and innocent.
The Mendocino Beacon and Fort Bragg Advocate-News papers, in partnership with MCTV, recently filmed a 90-minute educational forum about Measure B which, if passed, would result in a new county ordinance. Sheriff Tom Allman (neutral, as of the taping), Fourth District supervisorial candidate Paula Deeter (against B), Dr. William Courtney (against B) and Ukiah City Councilman John McCowen (for B) participated on the panel.
Publisher Sharon DiMauro explained the panelists were chosen for "the range of information and views they bring" to the forum.
Each panelist was asked the same questions:
- What has changed in the marijuana culture in Mendocino County since 2000, when Measure G passed?
- Do you think the changes are a result of Measure G or from some other factor(s)?
- If passed, what will Measure B accomplish that Measure G did not, or is there a better option you would recommend?
- If you could revamp the entire system, from the state down, what do you think would be the best means for providing medical marijuana to approved, genuine patients?
- What actions are needed to deal with the criminal element?
- What is the one thing you think the public least understands about this issue?
Here are some highlights and summaries of each panelist's position on the issues:
John McGowen
"Measure B will correct [problems] by repealing Measure G and adopt the state limits," said McGowen.
In his opening statement, McGowen said the current situation is completely out of control, which, "Many of us believe is directly attributable to Measure G."
McGowen validated his position by frequent reading from quotes by others and references to the Yes on B Website.
"We [Mendocino County] stand alone in allowing the highest quantity. The 25-plant limit creates a tremendous excess over what an average patient needs," he said.
He said the public doesn't understand how easy it is to abuse the system and how damaging to the environment just 25 plants are.
McGowen made reassurances that doctors can prescribe whatever their patients need and are protected by federal and state laws, as well as the California Medical Association, without fear of reprisals based solely on recommended doses that exceed grow limits.
"As long as we have federal prohibition, we can't come up with legalization, taxation and regulations which many people would prefer," he said. "The most sensible thing to do now is realign with state law."
McGowen feels commercial growers come to the county because they have the perception that all marijuana is legal here. He described a "crime wave that's engulfed our community" with home invasions, trespassing, robberies, an influx of guns and attack dogs, all to protect marijuana plants. He described wide-spread environmental damage that has resulted from diesel fuel spills, waste oil from generators, trash dumping, misuse of pesticides and fertilizers and illegal water diversions.
"The new breed of grower cares nothing for the impacts for children, to the community or the environment," he said. "I believe G is a large part of the problem. It put us out of step with the rest of the state. We stand out and that's why commercial growers flock here. We need B to correct this."
Paula Deeter
Paula Deeter, who is a candidate in the Fourth District supervisorial race and owner of Herban Legend, a medical marijuana dispensary in Fort Bragg, opposes Measure B.
"At first glance, it looks like it does something, [but] it doesn't do what it's promised to do. Currently, commercial growing is illegal. This would not change that whatsoever," said Deeter in her opening statement.
It's her position the "mom and pop" small patient-grower and collective operations will be "put in jeopardy" and be "recriminalized."
"It's difficult for anyone to subjectively say that 8 ounces is sufficient across the board for anyone," she said.
"Measure G is not the cause of outside trespass large commercial grows. Those are people who don't have any interest in the community. B is just adding something more limiting to legitimate patients."
She also rhetorically asked whether Measure B gives law enforcement opportunities to selectively enforce marijuana laws.
Deeter regularly deals with physicians through her dispensary business and reported stress over discussing medical prescriptions over the phone, regardless of state law protections.
"It's very difficult for them to put their license or freedom in jeopardy," she said.
Since Measure G passed, Deeter said medical marijuana has improved to "vegan edible quality" and small growers take pride in producing organic fair-trade medicine. She also noted that patients have become more comfortable about growing their own medicine.
She pointed out, however, that some medical options, such as salves, tinctures and raw plants, take a larger quantity to produce than Measure B's limit would allow.
In the three years she has been in business, she's also seen the price drop to nearly half what it was and sees the repeal of Measure G driving marijuana back into the black market.
As for the criminal element, Deeter pointed to laws and ordinances with fines and penalties already in place.
She said the public doesn't understand how many and who legitimate patients are. "They're not the stoners, on the dole or the type thought of. They're people who carry on full-time jobs — productive citizens — following state and county laws."
Dr. William Courtney
Dr. William Courtney, of Mendocino, disclosed that he has about 2,000 patients who depend on marijuana as their medicine for a wide range of serious medical conditions, including diabetes. He explained how marijuana works in the body to improve the functioning of the immune system, as well as help decrease inflammation, which "drives most conditions of middle age." He referred to marijuana as having "phenomenal" ability to relieve pain without side affects.
"Every one of my patients will be criminalized by this [Measure B]," he said.
Dr. Courtney's position is that Measure B won't produce the intended results.
"Measure B will create criminals out of everyone. I don't see the point," he said. "We're doing two things [with B]. We're making those [who are] legitimate, illegitimate, and those who are illegal, happy. The price goes up and they make more money and we call that progress. B will do nothing more than increase the profit margin."
He also maintains the lower limits will not produce an adequate quantity for any of his patients.
"G is an experiment that needs to be continued. I'll have to write each and everyone a prescription to exceed [the limit]. No other physician is going to do that. Essentially, you eliminate other physicians from participating," he said.
Courtney acknowledged that while there are protections in place for doctors, "there's a great reluctance and fear. It makes even me nervous although I know I shouldn't be."
He reports that eating — it takes three to five times as much — rather than smoking marijuana is less effective per volume, but safer. Measure G's limits are set high enough to meet the needs of many conditions, he said.
"It is cruel beyond belief to set such a low limit [as the state's] that it forces people to smoke," said Courtney. "Why would we want to do that? What's the medical basis? It escapes me. I have no understanding why anyone would say 8 ounces will meet a medical patient's recommendation for their condition. Every one of my patients needs more than that."
He said some people are voting for B because it will drive their price up.
"All the laws are in place to deal with real criminal activities," he said. "Tom [Allman] does the best he can with the limited personnel he has. He could probably use more resources."
Sheriff Tom Allman
At the time of the forum, on April 30, Sheriff Allman identified his position as "neutral" and answered questions from that perspective. He has since released a public statement in support of Measure B, which appears as a sidebar to this article.
Allman said he believes there's a legitimate medical use for marijuana and there are now doctors in the county who are "genuine" experts. His statements included, "We need to allow doctors to do their job without fear," and, "We need to work on making marijuana legitimate like other pharmaceutical drugs."
In his opening statement, Allman characterized this as "one of the more divisive issues that has come up in our community."
He revealed he voted no on Measure G because he didn't know what it would result in.
"I don't think it's fair to say that G caused this outcropping of unintended unsavory characters coming to our county," Allman said. "Legitimate patients are not the problem. The people who are the problem are those who come into our county, make $1 million a year and take their money and run."
Currently, the sheriff's office has five conflicting marijuana laws and ordinances to enforce, beginning with Prop 215 in 1996, Measure G from 2000, Senate Bill 420 in 2003, and two changes last year to the county ordinance regarding allowed number of plants.
"There's no way to marry all five together," said Allman. "There are some incredible inconsistencies that Measure G is only part of."
The change since 2000, as he sees it, is more about the perception of outsiders that "all marijuana" in Mendocino County is legal. The perception, he said, is that everyone here walks around smoking marijuana.
He said Measure G was passed with good intentions but the county is now being taken advantage of. "Legitimate growers are not out raping our environment. People have come from far away and have absolutely taken advantage of our environment, our wildlife, our citizens," he said. "They take their money and go elsewhere."
The backlash has caused many citizens to decide Measure G isn't working well, but according to Allman, it's the combination of laws and how they come together.
Allman predicts that what Measure B would accomplish, in his opinion, is voluntary compliance with the lower number of plants because, "All in all, people want to obey the law. Why do they grow 25 plants? Very possibly because they can."
If Measure B does pass, Allman reassured listeners the sheriff's office "is not going after the low-hanging fruit. We have much more to deal with."
"I'm staffed to provide an adequate level of public safety. I'm not staffed to deal with the new criminal element we're facing. We need to send the message, Mendocino County is not the place for commercial marijuana.
"Law enforcement is looking for direction from the community on where you want us to go. I'm anxious to see what voters decide," he said. "If B passes, I need six new deputies to enforce it. If Measure B fails, I need six more deputies to help me deal with the marijuana abuses in this county."
Either way, Allman predicts another marijuana ballot within the next 10 years.
"This is not the end-all for the situation. As a community, we need to continue to learn about it, continue to find out the flaws in whatever laws we have. We need to find out if there's a better way to do it," he said. "I'm looking forward to the next ballot issues, also."
Press release from Sheriff Tom Allman on May 13
"Since the beginning of Measure B, I have consistently taken a neutral position. I have stated repeatedly, It is my job to enforce the law and I will abide by the will of the voters in Mendocino County.' I have offered an open door to both sides of this initiative and have met with both sides on several occasions. I have provided all necessary information upon request. I have strived to remain neutral on the ballot initiative for the purpose of allowing the voters to decide the final decision.
"Today, without my knowledge or permission, the opponents of Measure B sent out a campaign mailer that includes my uniformed picture and a quote from me. First, they have taken the quote attributed to me out of context. Second, by doing so they are implying that I am opposed to Measure B.
"Because of this misrepresentation, I can no longer remain neutral. As your Sheriff, I will abide by the decision the voters will make on June 3rd. As a resident of Mendocino County, I cannot allow any misrepresentation of my personal position on an issue as important as Measure B to continue.
"Today, I lend my name and full support to the passage of Measure B. It is the right thing to do for Mendocino County. I urge the voters to vote and vote for Measure B."
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