cannabisnews.com: Green Plague: Pot Busts On Rise










  Green Plague: Pot Busts On Rise

Posted by CN Staff on June 10, 2007 at 05:43:50 PT
By Glenda Anderson, The Press Democrat 
Source: Press Democrat 

California -- Marijuana cultivation is exploding on the North Coast, fueling an illicit multi-billion-dollar statewide business and frustrating local lawmakers in a corner of California where about a third of the state's pot is grown.In Mendocino County, a state leader in pot production, the number of plants seized during year-round eradication efforts has nearly doubled in the past five years, from 120,930 to 227,019. Law enforcement officials said the amount being grown could be 10 times greater.
"It's like watching a green plague spread over the county," said Bob Nishiyama, head of the Mendocino Major Crimes Task Force.The steady growth of pot gardens and the failure to stop it prompted Mendocino County supervisors last week to send a letter demanding action from Washington. Four of five supervisors agreed the war on marijuana has been lost and said it's time to legalize it. They urged the government to regulate marijuana as it does alcohol and reap the benefits of a cash crop that is now untaxed.Lawmakers in neighboring Sonoma and Lake counties said they share the concern but differ on what should be done."We have enough trouble dealing with the cost of legal drugs, such as alcohol," said Sonoma County Supervisor Mike Kerns. "And yet people say legalize it and tax it. The taxes we get from alcohol don't even begin to pay for the cost of the problems that are caused by alcohol," said the former Petaluma police sergeant.Lake County supervisors said they have no plans to write a letter, but several believe marijuana eradication efforts have been less than successful.Supervisor Ed Robey said he'd entertain the idea of legalization if there were adequate regulation."If a person wants to get marijuana, they can get it. The problem is this lucrative black market is causing all this crime," he said.Sonoma, Lake and Humboldt counties all have seen sharp increases in marijuana production over the past five years.It is a trend reflected across California, where heavy concentrations of illegal pot also show up in the Central Valley counties of Tulare and Fresno. In the past five years, the number of plants seized during the outdoor marijuana harvest season statewide more than quadrupled, from 354,202 to 1,675,681.The potential value of the pot ultimately sold on the street is huge. Each mature plant is capable of producing a pound or more of marijuana, currently worth $2,000 to $4,000, according to law enforcement.The number of plants confiscated year-round in Sonoma County almost quadrupled, increasing from 34,716 in 2002 to 132,967 in 2006. That partly reflects an increase in eradication efforts but still represents an estimated third of what's actually being grown, said Sgt. Chris Bertoli of the Sonoma County Sheriff's Department Narcotics Task Force.Lake County in 2006 yielded more marijuana - 314,603 plants - than any other county during the state's Campaign Against Marijuana Planting, CAMP, and 17 times more than the same period in 2002. Lake County's year-round totals were unavailable. CAMP figures include only plants seized when the state is assisting local agencies in the late summer and early fall.Most of the Lake County seizures were on national forest land, where armed laborers hired by Mexican cartels guard the plants, according to law enforcement.Humboldt County's marijuana production also is on the rise.The number of plants eradicated in Humboldt County has increased from 60,847 in 2002 to 104,606 in 2006. This year, authorities already have seized 89,645 plants.But marijuana proponents say marijuana is a natural, harmless, non-addictive drug and legalizing it would decrease the huge street value, making its use safer.Mendocino County supervisors said legalizing and regulating pot could solve many of its accompanying problems.It would give officials more control over where it's grown, its distribution and its use. They said legalizing marijuana should at least reduce the crime associated with the drug by lessening the financial incentive.They also said it would remove the confusion caused by conflicts between federal law, which prohibits all marijuana use and possession, and state law, which allows marijuana to be used for medicinal purposes.The conflict makes it difficult for police and district attorneys to enforce the law, which they say is widely abused by people growing pot for profit.The Mendocino County Sheriff's Office is in the process of creating a tagging system for medical pot plants to try to bring some control.Changing limits on the amount of medical marijuana patients are allowed to possess has also created confusion, said Mendocino County Sheriff's Lt. Rusty Noe, who until recently headed the county's three-man Marijuana Eradication Team.Noe said the best solution to the medical marijuana confusion would be for the federal government to reclassify marijuana and give it legal prescription drug status. It then could be grown by federally authorized farmers and dispensed in pharmacies.Law enforcement officials acknowledge enforcement efforts have not stopped the illegal marijuana industry from growing. But they disagree with Mendocino County supervisors who say the fight is lost."It's a silly idea. Have we lost the war on drunk driving, rapes and homicides?" asked Sgt. Wayne Hanson, who oversees Humboldt's marijuana eradication program. "We can't throw in the flag."In Sonoma County, Board of Supervisors Chairwoman Valerie Brown said she doesn't see the issue of legalization coming before the board, which has grappled with regulating medical marijuana dispensaries, but has not dealt with legalization.Brown said Mendocino County is much different because marijuana is a big part of its economy and difficult to control."I'm looking at a system of priorities we have to deal with. Legalization of marijuana is way down at the bottom of my list," she said.Sonoma County Supervisor Paul Kelley doesn't support legalizing marijuana, saying, pot "negatively affects people's lives in some cases."Mendocino County Sheriff Tom Allman said he could support legalization, but only "if every federal and state dollar we currently spend on eradicating marijuana could be spent on fighting methamphetamine."Mendocino County District Attorney Meredith Lintott said she does not support legalization."It is the position of the district attorney to enforce, not make laws," she said.The difficulties of prosecution could be solved by state officials setting statewide regulations for medical marijuana use, she said.Almost everyone involved in dealing with marijuana, its sale, its enforcement and even its legalization agrees that the size of the crop and the social demand is huge and apparently growing.In Humboldt County, for example, the confiscated plants account for only about 5 percent of what's being grown, said Hanson, whose job it to try to wipe out illegal production."It's like trying to control Baghdad," he said.Staff Writer Clark Mason contributed to this report. Source: Press Democrat, The (Santa Rosa, CA)Author: Glenda Anderson, The Press DemocratPublished: Sunday, June 10, 2007 Copyright: 2007 The Press DemocratContact: letters pressdemo.comWebsite: http://www.pressdemo.com/Related Articles:Going To Pothttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread23045.shtmlMendocino: Legalize Pothttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread23043.shtml

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Comment #32 posted by FoM on June 12, 2007 at 08:23:12 PT
Hope
I feel very sorry for people that hate. It tears the hater up inside but never hurts the person that is hated. Tolerance is so much easier and life could be so much better if people used a little self control and suppressed that particular emotion.
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Comment #31 posted by Hope on June 12, 2007 at 07:19:36 PT
Prohibs won't see it as a win-win situation.
They hate us, unreasonabley, and everything we stand for. They fear us. They have no respect of us as humans and their hatred and anger won't let there be any reasoning or common sense involved. I really think they think we are less human than they are and as far as they are concerned, we should have no rights or say in anything. But we do, and we shall.God willing.
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Comment #30 posted by John Tyler on June 12, 2007 at 06:48:35 PT
legalization would be good
Legalization is the only answer. It’s obvious that the public, the people, the VOTERS want it, or the industry would not be so huge now. It could also lead to an economic upturn in new businesses associated with a legal cannabis industry. You could have cannabis farms, and farm tours, cannabis festivals, and cannabis shops. It would be absolutely fantastic. It could also reduce the problems associated with alcohol consumption. It would be a win – win situation. 
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Comment #29 posted by whig on June 12, 2007 at 00:44:47 PT
Pittsburgh
"Behold, a sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seed fell by the wayside; and the birds came and devoured them.
  Some fell on stony places, where they did not have much earth; and they immediately sprang up because they had no depth of earth. But when the sun was up they were scorched, and because they had no root they withered away.
  And some fell among thorns, and the thorns sprang up and choked them.
  But others fell on good ground and yielded a crop: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. He who has ears to hear, let him hear!" 
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Comment #28 posted by afterburner on June 11, 2007 at 22:29:45 PT
If Prohibition Is the Answer...
{
"We have enough trouble dealing with the cost of legal drugs, such as alcohol," said Sonoma County Supervisor Mike Kerns. "And yet people say legalize it [cannabis] and tax it. The taxes we get from alcohol don't even begin to pay for the cost of the problems that are caused by alcohol," said the former Petaluma police sergeant.
}Mike Kerns, if you want to see some real violence, try prohibiting alcohol again!
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Comment #27 posted by rafael on June 11, 2007 at 10:17:28 PT

The sheriff´s comment
"Mendocino County Sheriff Tom Allman said he could support legalization, but only "if every federal and state dollar we currently spend on eradicating marijuana could be spent on fighting methamphetamine."Although that would be a much better idea, this comment sounded to me something like: "It´s OK to legalize marijuana, but only if you don´t take away our MONEY".It´s all about the money. It always was.
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Comment #26 posted by FoM on June 11, 2007 at 09:30:48 PT

Words
Words can edifiy or words can tear down. I find that when a person is losing an argument they can stoop to words or derogatory expressions and that usually ends the conversation. I think it becomes a defense mechanism for those who really aren't seeing the whole picture.
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Comment #25 posted by Hope on June 11, 2007 at 09:11:36 PT

Not listening to those who treat us
condescendingly is a better option than flying into a rage.You'd think, living with Republican, as I do, that I'd get used to it.But every once in a while...I'm forced to face the rage I have to fight.Anger and rage leave "my feathers ruffled" and I don't make as fine, gracious, loving, understanding, and precious a grandmother, or wife, as I like to be, when my feathers aren't ruffled. That's important to me.Those of you who don't live with a Republican can be grateful of at least that. Come to think of it, I have a dear sister-in-law, whom I love, who brings the term "Mad-Dog Democrat" to mind from time to time. (Instead of "Yellow dog"...which she claims to be. I think.)Does it seem that I don't "respect" them? Yes. I'm guessing it does. They start it, though, it seems to me. They start the "disrespect" ball rolling and I jump in and play the game just like I never wanted to at all. And there we go...down into a childish game of retribution and anger.Respect for our fellow humans. What a concept. It should start at home. I guarondamntee you, that that guy calling other's ideas, "Silly", treats his own family with huge disrespect, too.
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Comment #24 posted by FoM on June 11, 2007 at 08:38:16 PT

Hope
I call words like silly as condescending. I will not listen to anyone who talks down to me. I am worthy of respect just like each person is worthy of respect. Talking down is so belittling and is wrong. That's why when I see comments about how could you think this or that I totally turn off what the person is saying. 
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Comment #23 posted by Hope on June 11, 2007 at 08:09:20 PT

Wayne Comment 7
Oh, I so agree.
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Comment #22 posted by Hope on June 11, 2007 at 08:04:09 PT

This article really is good news....
but it's peppered with words that make the tops of my ears burn and that make the path to rage so clear and brightly lit.
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Comment #21 posted by Hope on June 11, 2007 at 08:01:53 PT

MESSAGE
If it were possible to strangle someone with their "Messages", I probably already would have, a long time ago.
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Comment #20 posted by Hope on June 11, 2007 at 08:00:35 PT

Obviously...
I have "issues" with some words.Overuse of the word "Plague" is another of them.
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Comment #19 posted by Hope on June 11, 2007 at 07:58:43 PT

Whoa...
Kind of odd that I would say that.Anger can be a runaway spirit...that's for sure.
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Comment #18 posted by Hope on June 11, 2007 at 07:57:39 PT

Trying to reread this thread thoroughly.
Obviously humor is one way to fight it.Whoa....it's so hard for me to find when I need it most.
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Comment #17 posted by Hope on June 11, 2007 at 07:54:03 PT

Anger about a misdeed or slight...
The thing is, I want to stay focused on what was done and what the results were and how are we going to change it.I don't want to have to start focusing on having to practice extreme self control to keep from rising into rage.Rage is not a discussion. Personal integrity insults are not a discussion."Silly" means..."I don't respect you."Then...sadly...I fall, easily....my next thought being, "You horse's ass."All that accomplishes nothing. I'm not so stupid that I don't realize it's used as a dirty tactic to stop any progress in the discussion. And, damn it...it works... on me.But now we've lost the discussion, and it's become all about me trying to keep from wanting to crack a lamp over this guy's skull.I lose. The discussion and the problem lose, too.Help! How do I overcome being felled by such tactics?
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Comment #16 posted by dongenero on June 11, 2007 at 07:53:05 PT

desperation
The prohibitionists are getting desperate. They sense the sea change.
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Comment #15 posted by Hope on June 11, 2007 at 07:43:08 PT

"It's a silly idea."
"Silly"?That word is so heavy with insult and contempt.The word raises my hackles. I hate to get mad. I don't anger easily...but I so easily hit a red zone, spiritually, if it happens.Then it becomes a matter of self control.
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Comment #14 posted by mykeyb420 on June 10, 2007 at 22:22:26 PT:

butt
No one is out there saying "Where can I score a good butt-raping?" ,,you should see some of the bars here in San francisco,,,lol
we have pot clubs here in SF,,we are very fortunate and we live in a bubble,,,,but its a nice bubble
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Comment #13 posted by FoM on June 10, 2007 at 20:43:24 PT

Mendocino Supes Call for Marijuana Legalization
Associated Press June 10, 2007 SANTA ROSA, Calif. (AP) - An exploding number of illegal marijuana plants seized in Mendocino County has prompted supervisors there to call for its legalization.The number of plants seized in Mendocino County during eradication efforts has almost doubled over the past five years, from just under 121,000 plants to more than 227,000. That makes Mendocino county the state-leader in pot growing - and officials there believe the actual amount of weed being grown could be 10 times greater.Four out of 5 of the county's supervisors have signed a letter sent to Washington DC that urges the federal government to regulate marijuana as it does alcohol. They argue that legalizing the drug would give officials more control over where it's grown, its distribution and its use.Not everyone in the region agrees with the supervisors' proposed resolution, and say that more time should be given to eradication efforts.Copyright: 2007 The Associated Presshttp://www.ksby.com/Global/story.asp?S=6638243

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Comment #12 posted by Hope on June 10, 2007 at 20:36:13 PT

Lol, Max!
That's so funny!
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Comment #11 posted by The GCW on June 10, 2007 at 19:04:27 PT

RevRayGreen & others...,
I wnat to comment on what We already mostly know:"METH IS DEATH POT IS NOT. WHY ARE THE FINES* EQUAL ?"-0-Meth is only a Schedule II substance but cannabis is a Schedule I substance.The Feds consider cannabis worse!
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Comment #10 posted by Max Flowers on June 10, 2007 at 18:31:40 PT

Let me translate that cop-talk
"We can't throw in the flag."TRANSLATION: "God, please don't let them take away this easy cash flow and cushy fake-hero assignment! If you do, I would have to go back to chasing real criminals and possibly facing real danger!" 
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Comment #9 posted by Max Flowers on June 10, 2007 at 18:28:53 PT

Wayne
Thank you, I was agape at the idiocy of that cop's statement and thinking the same thing you wrote about it. It was good to see someone point that out.Analogies in legal matters by people too dumb to have critical thinking skills and yet are allowed to carry guns and "enforce the law" are NOT HELPFUL!!
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Comment #8 posted by mykeyb420 on June 10, 2007 at 17:45:21 PT:

waste of $$
" the number of plants seized during year-round eradication efforts has nearly doubled in the past five years, from 120,930 to 227,019. Law enforcement officials said the amount being grown could be 10 times greater. "
all the effort they do and still 90% still gets through,,what a waste of precious funds

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Comment #7 posted by Wayne on June 10, 2007 at 17:36:33 PT

alright, it's time to confront this argument
...they disagree with Mendocino County supervisors who say the fight is lost. 'It's a silly idea. Have we lost the war on drunk driving, rapes and homicides?' asked Sgt. Wayne Hanson, who oversees Humboldt's marijuana eradication program. 'We can't throw in the flag.'"OK, just who the f*** declared a war on drunk driving, rape, or homicides?? Why were we not made aware of this? I think if police officers are going to lead this country into war, they should have the decency to let us know about it. Even President Shit-for-brains was able to tell us we were going to Iraq.I get so sick of hearing people say this. Things like, "well why don't we just legalize rape, robbery and murder too?" The problem is that argument is fundamentally flawed. There is no demand for robbery, rape, murder, and drunk driving. No one is out there saying "Where can I score a good butt-raping?" There IS demand for mind-altering substances, it's human nature. And no amount of laws or arrests is going to make it go away! So give us our rights back, let us make our own decisions, and leave us the hell ALONE!!
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Comment #6 posted by dongenero on June 10, 2007 at 11:25:50 PT

green plague?.....now isn't that silly?
It's really more of a beautiful green blanket of freedom.Sometimes freedom can feel a bit scary, vulnerable, a little responsible. We shouldn't be afraid to have freedom.Prohibition and the resulting criminal environment is a far more dangerous situation than freedom.
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Comment #5 posted by RevRayGreen on June 10, 2007 at 11:01:59 PT

so true
You cannot fight nature.
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Comment #4 posted by MikeEEEEE on June 10, 2007 at 09:54:44 PT

Fighting a lost cause
Some forces in amerika like to fight lost causes. The war on drugs is one of the longest wasted efforts. Another example is Iraq.You cannot fight human nature and a weed. Impossible!

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Comment #3 posted by RevRayGreen on June 10, 2007 at 09:41:12 PT

EXACTLY
METH IS DEATH POT IS NOT. WHY ARE THE FINES* EQUAL ?*Iowa law regarding marijuana posessionI'm goin to ship one of my shirts to a Mendicino County supervisor....www.nicerIA.blogspot.comwww.myspace.com/niceria
 
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Comment #2 posted by FoM on June 10, 2007 at 09:00:58 PT

Truth
I agree.
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Comment #1 posted by Truth on June 10, 2007 at 08:57:48 PT

says it all
"Mendocino County Sheriff Tom Allman said he could support legalization, but only "if every federal and state dollar we currently spend on eradicating marijuana could be spent on fighting methamphetamine."My question would be: And why aren't they? The dollars would be better spent.Tom Allman has been a great sheriff.
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