Mendocino sheriff backs tighter pot rules

By MIKE GENIELLA
THE PRESS DEMOCRAT

UKIAH -- Mendocino County Sheriff Tom Allman broke Tuesday with medical marijuana advocates and endorsed a local ballot initiative aimed at repealing the county's current liberal marijuana guidelines.

An angry Allman ended weeks of neutrality in an increasingly acrimonious campaign surrounding Measure B, which -- if approved in the June 3 election -- will sharply reduce the number of plants allowed to be grown for personal use from 25 to 6.

"Today, I lend my name and full support to the passage of Measure B," Allman said. "It is the right thing to do for Mendocino County."

Medical marijuana advocates issued a public apology to Allman, but the sheriff said Tuesday afternoon their "misrepresentation" no longer allowed him to remain neutral in a campaign being watched closely around the state and nation.

Mendocino County voters in 2000 were the first to locally legalize personal use of marijuana and set a standard significantly higher than recommended state medical marijuana standards.

Allman said he was shocked to learn anti-Measure B organizers had decided without his knowledge or permission to use a photo of him in uniform along with some old newspaper quotes relating to marijuana problems facing the county.

"First, they have taken the quote attributed to me out of context," Allman said. "Second, by doing so they are implying that I am opposed to Measure B."

Measure B proponents, who include law enforcement agencies, local political leaders, members of the medical community and educators, blame the county's liberal standards under the guise of medical marijuana for a surge in commercial production and associated crimes.

Critics contend the new standards will unfairly single out small growers who most need marijuana for medical purposes and will do nothing to rein in big-time growing operations.

Currently, 50 of the state's 58 counties follow legislative guidelines limiting possession of marijuana for medical purposes to six plants and a half pound of dried marijuana.

Eight counties, however, including Mendocino, Sonoma, Humboldt and Del Norte, decided to exercise a state option to set more relaxed standards. But while Sonoma County, for example, technically allows more plants -- 30 -- than Mendocino, its guidelines are actually more restrictive because of limitations on canopy size of marijuana gardens.

Laura Hamburg of Ukiah, a spokeswoman for opponents of Measure B, said Tuesday the use of Allman's photograph without his knowledge or permission was a mistake.

Hamburg produced a statement from an Oakland-based consulting firm called the Next Generation acknowledging it, not the local campaign, was responsible for the Allman photo.

While she believes the brochure made clear Allman was neutral in the Measure B debate, Hamburg said an apology to the sheriff was in order because of any "misperception voters may have received."You can reach Staff Writer Mike Geniella at 462-6470 or mgeniella@pressdemocrat.com.

In our opinion - Don't let them fool you

Ukiah Daily Journal Staff
Article Last Updated: 05/13/2008 08:22:07 AM PDT

Don't let them fool you

And so it begins.

The No on B campaign has sent its first large scale mailer out to voters with just the kind of misinformation we knew was coming.

Basically their message is: the passage of Measure B will prevent the sick and dying from getting their medicine.

The mailer tells five stories of medical marijuana patients or caregivers who, according to No on B, would be made into "criminals' by Measure B.

Not so.

The No on B mailer wants voters to believe that cancer patients and survivors, glaucoma and arthritis suffers and their caregivers will not be able to grow or access medical marijuana.

In fact, Measure B gives this county's medical marijuana patients the very same protections that thousands of medical marijuana patients up and down the state of California also have under state regulations.

That's not enough, says No on B.

However, Measure B also allows under California Health and Safety Code 11362.77:

(b) If a qualified patient or primary caregiver has a doctor's recommendation that this quantity (six mature or 12 immature plants) does not meet the qualified patient's medical needs, the qualified patient or primary caregiver may possess an amount of marijuana consistent with the patient's needs.

In other words, as much as they need.

Ah, says No on B, but doctors won't prescribe more than the six/12-plant limit under state regulations because they fear reprisals from the federal drug enforcement agencies.

That sounds good, but actually the U.S. Supreme Court has let stand a Ninth District federal court ruling which specifically protects physicians from prosecution for recommending medical marijuana.

Measure B is the most sensible and direct way to curtail the excesses of the commercial marijuana industry in this county which has exploded under the guise of "medical" marijuana.

Measure B is not and never has been about the merits of medical marijuana. No on B knows that, but they'd rather use these patients' stories to scare people with compassionate hearts into allowing the no-limits marijuana growing to continue.

Don't let them get away with it. Vote yes on Measure B.

"It is the right thing to do for Mendocino County. I urge the voters to vote for Measure B." - Sheriff Tom Allman

Subject: Sheriff Allman endorses Measure B

---

"It is the right thing to do for Mendocino County. I urge the voters to vote for Measure B." --Sheriff Tom Allman Today the sheriff's office issued this press release: PRESS RELEASE May 12, 2008 For Immediate Release TO: News Media FROM: Sheriff Tom Allman MEASURE B Ukiah, CA--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. The investigation of violent crimes, the eradication of large commercial marijuana gardens and combating methamphetamine will remain top priorities for the Mendocno County Sheriff's Office. 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. Media inquires should be directed to Sheriff Allman at (707) 463-4085.

Big Lie politics hits Mendocino, courtesy of the marijuana growers

The No on B campaign put out its first mailer this week, reportedly produced by an Oakland political consultant and paid for by a huge contribution from NORML, a national pro-marijuana group.

It's a perfect example of the work of cynical political professionals who believe they can get away with any kind of lie, as long as it is repeated often enough in a 4-color glossy brochure.

The No on B mailer features four patients and repeatedly says that Measure B would deny them marijuana and criminalize them. "Measure B would turn easing my pain into a crime," says marijuana grower Randy Wharff. But the truth is that Measure B can't deny medical marijuana to any legitimate patient, because state law holds that a patient have any amount that a doctor says they need for their condition. It's clearly stated in Health & Safety Code Section 11362.77, which anybody can read online. What Measure B will do is help stop the rampant abuse of the compassionate medical marijuana program as a shield for large-scale marijuana growing for profit. That's why 56 local doctors have endorsed "Yes" on B. The opposition to Measure B isn't about medical marijuana. It's about greed and contempt for the rights of innocent neighbors.

Another Big Lie of the No campaign is that Measure B will "make it a felony to grow 7 plants" because the state guideline is only 6 mature plants per patient. Although it is technically true that it will be a violation to exceed the medical marijuana limit without a doctor's recommendation to do so, it is absurd to claim that anyone is going to be arrested for having a few extra plants. Both District Attorney Meredith Lintott and Sheriff Tom Allman have repeatedly said they have no intention of targeting small growers. For many years, the only sanction applied to any minor violator of a plant limit has been confiscation of the extra plants.

Still more dishonesty comes in the mailer's distortion of the position of Sheriff Tom Allman--and the No campaign may come to regret it. The sheriff's photo is used in the mailer, without his permission, together with an out-of-context quote attributed to him in 2007. The quote implies that Tom Allman dislikes Measure B because it will be a "burden" on his deputies that will distract them from "any other public safety issue." When the No Campaign first tried to use this distorted quote, Sheriff Allman issued the following statement on March 11, 2008 to set the record straight: "I support legitimate medical marijuana. I oppose commercial cultivation and sales of marijuana. Measure B will not change our focus. Investigating violent crimes will remain our top priority. 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." Sheriff Allman highlighted the same concern that is the cause of the Yes on B campaign--the need to address "growers who create a public nuisance, endanger public safety or trash the environment."

Besides the Big Lie campaign against Measure B, there has been an unprecedented assault on freedom of speech. Our count of stolen or defaced "Yes on B" signs now stands at 144. It's much more than petty vandalism--it's a criminal attempt to silence opponents of commercial marijuana.

What you can do. The quality of life in Mendocino County hangs in the balance. So does the integrity of our democratic system.

• Vote This isn't a ballot you want to forget to mail.
• Talk to others about Measure B.
• Write a letter to the editor.
• Give. Don't let outside marijuana dollars steal our election. Help us counter the Big Lie through radio, direct mail or other media. Donations are still needed at Yes On B Coalition, 759 S. State Street #114, Ukiah 95482.

Thanks!

Yes on B Coalition

DA endorses Measure B

By BEN BROWN/The Daily Journal
Article Last Updated: 05/02/2008 09:34:09 AM PDT

Mendocino County District Attorney Meredith Lintott has officially endorsed Measure B, saying if it passes, her job will be easier.

"Measure G has become a barrier that greatly complicates the prosecution of solid cases, even where there is overwhelming evidence of commercial cultivation, possession, transportation and sales," Lintott said. "The defense attorneys never fail to cite Measure G as a defense for those violating the laws against commercial marijuana. This is true even for the largest growing operations."

Measure B, which was placed on the ballot by the Mendocino County Board of Supervisors in January, would repeal Measure G and set medical marijuana limits in Mendocino County at the state limits of six mature or 12 immature plants and eight ounces of dried marijuana.

Measure G, which was passed by Mendocino County voters in 2000, instructed law enforcement to make the prosecution of marijuana gardens of 25 plants or fewer the lowest possible priority.

Lintott said Measure G has created confusion in the Mendocino County law enforcement community because it is internally inconsistent and that its major provisions are of "dubious legality."

"It is in direct conflict with state law, and defense attorneys are skillful at emphasizing conflicts in the law in order to create doubt on the part of jurors," she said.

During her campaign for district attorney in 2006, Lintott said she would defend the rights of medical marijuana users. She said her endorsement of Measure B is not a departure from that promise.

"I believe the state limits protect the rights of medical patients and therefore no legitimate medical patient will suffer if Measure B passes," she said.

She said she would continue to vigorously prosecute people who use medical marijuana laws as a cover for growing marijuana commercially.

Lintott is one of several law enforcement officials and groups to endorse Measure B. Mendocino County Sheriff Tom Allman has said he will not take a stand on the measure.

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

Allman has said that returning to the state medical marijuana limits would mean he would need a six-person team working on marijuana for at least two years. The Sheriff's Office currently has two deputies working full time on marijuana cases.

The election is scheduled for June 3.

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

District Attorney Meredith Lintott endorses Measure B

Meredith Lintott issued the following statement April 30:

Today I am announcing my endorsement for Measure B. I do so because Measure B is consistent with the protection of the rights of legitimate medical marijuana patients and will provide consistency in the law which will greatly assist in the successful prosecution of commercial growers.

As a candidate for District Attorney I pledged to protect the rights of medical marijuana patients and caregivers. I also said I would prosecute those who abuse the protections given to medical marijuana as a cover for commercial growing.

As District Attorney, it is obvious to me that Measure G has become a barrier that greatly complicates the prosecution of solid cases, even where there is overwhelming evidence of commercial cultivation, possession, transportation and sales. The defense attorneys never fail to cite Measure G as a defense for those charged with violating the laws against commercial marijuana. This is true even for the largest growing operations.

Measure G was widely considered to be an advisory measure when it passed, but was later codified as part of the Mendocino County Code. More recently the Board adopted the 25 plant limit from Measure G as the standard for the County, although there is some question whether or not the action of the Board adequately covered all the legal bases.

Measure G, if it is law at all, is bad law because it is internally inconsistent and its major provisions are of dubious legality. Most significantly, it is in direct conflict with state law and defense attorneys are skillful at emphasizing conflicts in the law in order to create doubt on the part of jurors.

As a prosecutor, Measure B will make my job easier by providing consistency in the law. I also believe the state limits protect the rights of medical patients and therefore no legitimate medical patient will suffer if Measure B passes. Otherwise, I would not support Measure B. The current situation threatens to create a backlash that would undermine support for legitimate medical marijuana.

I will accept the passage of Measure B as a mandate from the public to focus marijuana enforcement and prosecution activities on the large commercial growers and those that are endangering public safety and harming the environment. I will also challenge the public to support adequate funding for enforcement and prosecution so that Sheriff Allman and I can carry out the mandate of the public to go after the commercial growers that are harming our county and our environment.

Meredith J. Lintott
District Attorney

Mendocino County DA says "Measure B will help"

April 19, 2008

At a Measure B forum before the Employers Council of Mendocino County Friday, Mendocino County District Attorney Meredith Lintott (who was in the audience, not part of the forum) said the passage of Measure B "will make my job easier." She said that defense attorneys regularly use Measure G (the 25-plant personal use ordinance that is at the root of all the excesses of the commercial marijuana industry in our county and which Measure B will repeal) as a defense on behalf of large scale marijuana growers. She also said that Measure B will likely help bring more law enforcement funding into the county from grants that we have been unable to tap as long as our laissez faire attitude about commercial growing continued.

The speakers at the forum were Ross Liberty for Yes on B and Laura Hamburg for No on B;. Ms Hamburg, who said she is a personal use gardener, made a couple of No on B's major points that were refuted on the spot by Ms. Lintott and Sheriff Tom Allman, who was also in the audience.
Ms. Hamburg said that among her fears of Measure B's effect is that it would make it too easy for sheriff's deputies to go after the low hanging fruit, the smaller growers like herself (although I don't call the 75 plants Ms. Hamburg claims to be able to grow legally a small grow) the people with more than the 6-plant limit Measure B would allow under the state's regs. Sheriff Allman stood up in the audience and said that simply wasn't going to happen. He said his department does not have that staffing to do more than he has always said he can and will do: go after large grows and go after grows that are causing a health and safety problem (which would include the in-your-face grows popping up in what used to be safe neighborhoods). Although he is maintaining his neutrality on Measure B, he did say it will make his job easier in that he believes a lot of people growing 25 plants now for whatever use, will cut back to six plants voluntarily if the measure passes.

He also said, for the record, that in the past few years (Measure G passed in 2000) a "horrendous number" of outside marijuana growers had flocked to this county. He said that there is "no question" that the marijuana growing in this county had created crime and environmental problems. As he put it, "there is a violence associated with greedy people growing marijuana."

Ms. Hamburg also said that since the county supervisors had already voted to limit the number of plants per parcel to 25, Measure B is now unnecessary. But Ms. Lintott told the audience that she knows defense attorneys are planning to challenge that as an illegal limit - presumably using the same Measure G excuses.

The No on B campaign - ably led by Ms. Hamburg, who is a personable and intelligent speaker - has made a large part of its campaign the claim that Measure B will cripple law enforcement in this county. But now both the DA and the Sheriff say that' not so.

No on B's other big argument is that Measure B will hurt medical marijuana patients. This week a group of 40 local physicians came out in favor of Measure B as protecting medical marijuana patients.

The Yes on B campaign believes that passing Measure B will send an important message to the world that Mendocino County is no longer the place to move to in order to abuse our community and environment for the sake of greed. Sheriff Allman cemented that for me Friday when he told me that he had lunched with Attorney General Jerry Brown on Monday and that Mr. Brown had told him that people throughout California were watching what happens here in Mendocino County on June 3.

Measure B is not anti-pot and it's not about medical marijuana. The vast majority of people supporting Measure B, including myself, believe that people ought to be able to grow and smoke a little pot and that medical marijuana is, in fact, helpful to the truly sick.

But now we feel like dupes for having tried to do something progressive and seeing the hoards arrive to laugh in our faces. We sent the wrong message with Measure G. Now we need to admit it was an experiment that went very wrong and bring some sanity back to our county.

Posted by K.C. at 10:17 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Meth-pot link interesting

To the Editor:

I would like to thank the female (recently released from county jail) panel member who honestly answered the question asked by KZYX Access Program radio host, Norman DeVall in a live interview on March 7, with Sheriff Tom Allman.

In response to a caller’s statement that “marijuana funds meth labs,” DeVall asked Sheriff Allman “have you found an interconnectedness?”

The female panel member spoke up and said, “the connections I’ve seen with methamphetamine and marijuana is about five years ago or so I was doing runs down to the city with pounds of weed to trade straight across for methamphetamine that I was bringing back, so to say ‘yes’ it does fund some of the methamphetamines that are coming into this county. Because to trade straight across I mean, we’re bringing huge amounts back for no cash. We are just growing weed and trading it.” Allman clarified, “I understand that, now you’re not talking about trading a pound of green for a pound of white?”

Another inmate panel member answers “No way.”

Female panel member “no, it’s equaled out though, to the cash value.”

I find it very telling that the female panel member is stating that she “transported marijuana to the city to trade” as opposed to just trading marijuana for methamphetamine within our county. This leads me to the conclusion that “for profit” marijuana growers are producing huge quantities of marijuana “to trade” for methamphetamine, which is “allegedly” the greatest concern in Mendocino County.

When we open the door to “commercial” marijuana growing we are not choosing marijuana over methamphetamine -- we are choosing both.

E. Koski
Redwood Valley

http://www.ukiahdailyjournal.com/frontpage
March 17th, 2008

MAKE SURE YOU KNOW THE LAW IN MENDOCINO COUNTY

The Mendocino County Board of Supervisors has adopted a policy and ordinance
regulating the cultivation and possession of medical marijuana.

Each qualified patient or caregiver acting for the patient will be allowed as follows:

• No more than 25 growing marijuana plants, regardless of age, size or condition of
the plants.

• No more than 25 growing marijuana plants per qualified patient, either indoors or
outdoors, per legal parcel, regardless of the number of qualified patients or
caregivers who live on that parcel. A “legal parcel” is defined as a unit of land for
which one legal title exists.

• No more than two pounds of processed marijuana per patient.

Wherever medical marijuana is grown, a copy of a current and valid, state-issued medical marijuana card or physician recommendation may be displayed in such a manner as to allow law enforcement officers to easily see the card without having to enter any building of any type.

Any person who is not the legal owner of a parcel and who is cultivating marijuana on
said parcel shall give written notice to the legal owner of the parcel prior to commencing cultivation of marijuana on said parcel and shall post notice at the cultivation site that the landowner has been informed.

The cultivation of marijuana, in any amount or quantity, shall not be allowed in the
following areas:

• Within 1,000 feet of a youth-oriented facility, a school, or a park; or
• Within 1,000 feet of any school bus stop; or
• Within 1,000 feet of any “church”.

All marijuana grown outside of any building must be fully enclosed by a fence at least six (6) feet in height. The fence must include a lockable gate that is locked at all times when a qualified patient or caregiver is not in the immediate area. Said fence shall not violate any other ordinance, code section or provision of law regarding height and location restrictions.

For further information on these ordinances, go to the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office website: http://www.mendocinosheriff.com. Click on the Services link, then select Medical Marijuana.

Fort Bragg City Council endorses Measure B on 4-1 vote

On Monday night, March 24, the Fort Bragg City Council accepted a recommendation from its Public Safety Committee and voted to endorse Measure B, which appears on the June ballot in Mendocino County.

Councilman Jere Melo made the motion, seconded by Dave Turner. Other "aye" votes were Dan Gjerde and Meg Courtney. The only dissent was from Doug Hammerstrom.

The vote came after substantial public comment that began with Lori Cimolino, who lives on Cedar Street in Fort Bragg. She described how a next door neighbor has been growing a large number of plants in the backyard, so many that she described it as a "crop." She stated that the "stench" prevented her family from enjoying their own backyard and caused another neighbor to move away. Things got worse when the marijuana grower got a vicious dog to defend the crop, and the dog repeatedly got loose and has attacked Lori twice. When Lori complained to a police officer who lived nearby, she was told that nothing could be done under present policy if the marijuana grower showed medical marijuana cards.

Numerous other Fort Bragg residents spoke in favor of Measure B, expressing concerns about the effect of rampant marijuana production on youth, on the image of the county, and other problems.

Only four people spoke against Measure B, including marijuana grower Paul Deeter and her teenage daughter.

Willits mayor Holly Madrigal and Ukiah councilman John McCowen also urged the Fort Bragg Council to act, and each predicted that their own councils would take up an endorsement soon.
Fort Bragg Council member and current mayor Doug Hammerstrom strongly opposed action. He used the bogus argument that has been advanced by the No On Measure B Coalition, that Measure B would hurt public safety by diverting law enforcement away from serious crimes to arresting small growers.

Hammerstrom repeated this argument even though McCowen read the March 11 statement by Sheriff Allman:

"Measure B will not change our focus. Investigating violent crime will remain our top priority. 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."

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.

Yes On B Coalition challenges the opposition: "Tell the Truth about Sheriff Allman's position"

"Tell the Truth about Sheriff Allman's position"

Sheriff Tom Allman is neither for nor against Measure B and does not say it would be a burden on law enforcement, contrary to the false impression being spread by the opponents to the Mendocino County ballot measure.

In fact, Sheriff Allman has made a statement that affirms: "Investigating violent crime will remain our top priority."

"The No On B Coalition took Sheriff Allman's words out of context and misled the voters," according to Yes On B Coalition spokesman Ross Liberty.

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

In an article published by the Press Democrat
on March 11 [http://www1.pressdemocrat.com/article/20080311/NEWS/803110362], Allman stated that the remarks quoted by No On B were taken out of context and that he was not taking a position on Measure B. Nevertheless, the No On Measure B Coalition issued a press release March 12 that repeated the identical misleading characterization of Allman's position. Sheriff Allman signed a statement [photocopy of signed original attached via fax] on March 11 that clarifies his position.

Full text of statement:

"As Sheriff, I have not and will not take a position on Measure B. It is my job to enforce the law, not make it. I support legitimate medical marijuana. I oppose commercial cultivation and sales of marijuana. Measure B will not change our focus. Investigating violent crime will remain our top priority. 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. Although I will not take a position on Measure B, I will say that Mendocino County will be a better spot when marijuana is not on the front page every day."

The Yes On B Coalition has provided this statement to the No On Measure B Coalition and asked that they quit misleading the public into believing Sheriff Allman has taken a position against Measure B or that he believes it will "burden law enforcement."

"All Measure B does is repeal Measure G which conflicts with state law, and adopts the state medical marijuana standards. Measure B will help law enforcement and patients by providing one standard so that everyone knows what to expect," said Liberty.

Measure B has two provisions:

(1) that the limit for medical marijuana users and primary caregivers will be the same as that provided in state law--6 mature plants, 12 immature plants, and 8 ounces of dried marijuana or more if recommended by a physician, and

(2) that Measure G (November 2000) is repealed, thereby removing the direction to the sheriff and district attorney to make enforcement of all marijuana laws the lowest priority and to not take any action on cases of 25 plants or less.

"Measure B will help put a stop to the fraudulent use of medical marijuana caregiver cards as a cover for the massive production of commercial marijuana for profit," said Liberty.

"There is a crisis throughout Mendocino County caused by a huge increase in commercial marijuana growing, much of it in residential neighborhoods, that has caused severe impacts on public safety, the environment, and our children," said Liberty.

For more info:
yesonbcoalition.org