Allman not taking stand on Measure B

By BEN BROWN The Daily Journal
Article Last Updated: 03/19/2008 09:10:04 AM PDT

Mendocino County Sheriff Tom Allman has not taken a position on Measure B, regardless of quotes used by No on B in the Mendocino County Voters Guide.

"As Sheriff, I have not and will not take a position on Measure B," Allman said. "It is my job to enforce the law, not make it. I support legitimate medical marijuana. I oppose commercial cultivation and sales of marijuana."

In its ballot argument, No on B quoted Allman as having said that reducing medical marijuana plant limits to the state guidelines of six mature plants or 12 immature plants and eight ounces of dried marijuana would be a burden on law enforcement and leave police unable to focus on any other public safety issue.

Allman said No on B took that statement out of context from a newspaper interview from March of 2007 about staffing levels at the Sheriff's Office.

Yes on B spokesman Ross Liberty accused No on B of misleading voters by including the quotes in its ballot argument.

"We intend to wage a campaign based on the facts and we challenge the opposition to do the same," he said.

Laura Hamburg, spokeswoman for No on B, said No on B applauded the sheriff for not getting involved in the race.

"We completely commend the sheriff for remaining neutral on Measure B," she said.

Hamburg argued that Measure B, which would repeal Measure G, the voter approved measure that set prosecution of marijuana gardens under 25 plants as the lowest possible priority for law enforcement, would tax law enforcement's resources by forcing officers to investigate small personal use growers instead of focusing on large scale commercial growers.

"Measure B does not address the problem; it creates a new problem," she said.

Allman did say that returning to state minimums for medical marijuana cultivation would cause some problems as it would force an increase in the number of officers necessary for full time marijuana enforcement.

"I would have to have a six-person marijuana team, year round, for two years," he said.

The Sheriff's Office currently has two deputies working full time on marijuana cases.

Regardless of whether or not Measure B passes in June, Allman said priorities at the Sheriff's Office will remain the same.

"Investigating violent crime will remain our top priority," he said. "We do not, and will not, target small grows. We will continue to focus on large grows and complaints about growers who create a public nuisance, endanger public safety or trash the environment."

Measure B, which was placed on the ballot by the Mendocino County Board of Supervisors, seeks to repeal Measure G, passed by Mendocino County voters in 2000. It would also set possession limits for medical marijuana at 12 immature or six mature plants and eight ounces of dried marijuana, the same as the limits set by the state.

The election is scheduled for June 3.

Ben Brown can be reached at udjbb@pacific.net.