cannabisnews.com: Mendocino County OKs Pot Growing and Smoking Mendocino County OKs Pot Growing and Smoking Posted by FoM on November 08, 2000 at 10:39:23 PT By Justin Pritchard, Associated Press Writer Source: Sacramento Bee Voters in Mendocino County have decided it is high time to let locals grow marijuana for personal use, passing the first such ballot measure in the nation. Measure G, which faced no organized opposition, was approved 58 percent to 42 percent with all precincts counted Tuesday.It allows residents of this verdant county on California's north coast to cultivate 25 pot plants apiece. Busting small-time growers will, officially, be the sheriff's lowest priority. But that doesn't mean marijuana is legal here now -- state and federal laws still apply."There are people, when we catch them they're going to give that 'Why are you guys doing this to us' line," said Mendocino County Sheriff Tony Craver, who signed a petition to put Measure G on the ballot but ended up opposing the initiative. "I'm worried about the frustration and heartaches it's going to cause."While a handful of liberal college towns like Berkeley have decriminalized pot smoking, Mendocino County has tilled new ground. It becomes the first community to sanction growing, according to the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws.One big reason: it's part of a region on California's north coast that produces an annual marijuana crop estimated near $1 billion."It's a progressive community and there are a lot of people who grow pot," said Liz Haapanen, a Fort Bragg resident who voted for Measure G. "The two things together are what is moving this."With a mere smattering of opposition, mainly from local educators, Measure G backers aired a series of four radio ads, said Dan Hamburg, a former Democratic congressman and leading backer of the initiative. The message in the $7,000 ad campaign was not that pot was a basic human right, but rather that government has no business in a grower's back yard.Ironically, Hamburg said some growers themselves opposed Measure G because it looks to increase the local marijuana supply and therefore burn their profits. At present, the potent green bud fetches more than gold: A single ounce can cost $400 on the street."I'm sure there were a few growers who kicked in 10 or 20 bucks to the campaign," said Hamburg, who registered his own pot plot under California's medical marijuana law. "But this thing was not financed by growers, because they like things the way they are."Complete Title: Mendocino County OKs Pot Growing and Smoking, 1st in NationSource: Sacramento Bee (CA)Author: Justin PritchardPublished: November 8, 2000Copyright: 2000 The Sacramento BeeAddress: P.O.Box 15779, Sacramento, CA 95852Contact: opinion sacbee.comWebsite: http://www.sacbee.com/Forum: http://www.sacbee.com/voices/voices_forum.htmlFeedback: http://www.sacbee.com/about_us/sacbeemail.htmlRelated Articles & Web Site:The Green Partyhttp://www.greenparty.org/Mendocino Co. First in US To Decriminalize Marijuanahttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread7593.shtmlDEA Defends Methodhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread7589.shtmlMendocino Marijuana Measure Famoushttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread7574.shtmlMendocino Making Drug Policy Statement http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread7564.shtmlMendocino Votes on Growth Industry http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread7501.shtml END SNIP --> Snipped Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #10 posted by VitaminT on November 07, 2002 at 15:21:08 PT Oh right, the exhalted most high fed "Remember-FEDERAL LAW SUPERCEDES ALL STATE AND LOCAL LAWS. As long as the "FED" says it is illegal, it is ILLEGAL!"and maybe you'll remember that the feds are exercising authority on highly questionable constitutional grounds, namely the "interstate commerce clause." Federal power to regulate Marijuana where no "commerce" takes place took a major hit in court a few weeks ago in case you hadn't noticed. When the court reinstates the tenth ammendment, federal authority over state law will be all the more narrow. When that happens little initiatives like measure G may well reflect the force of law and not just the sense of the community.As far as getting into trouble . . . . come to Texas!No fines or spankings here, Remember it's not called the GULAG state for nothing. [ Post Comment ] Comment #9 posted by FoM on November 07, 2002 at 14:33:05 PT Sorry You Didn't Notice The Date This article was from November 08, 2000. Everyone knows that nothing is the same as it was back then. [ Post Comment ] Comment #8 posted by MindseyeK on November 07, 2002 at 13:57:19 PT: "The Truth" I am a native of Mendocino County, Ca., 37 yrs. old, and a long time user of cannibus. I just ran across this site while looking at other Mendo. Co. sites and it sort of raised my ire. It is unfortunate that the media has led many of you to believe that the cultivation/use of marijuana is legal, decriminalized, ignored, etc. in this county. Yes, "Measure G" passed but it is a hollow victory of a symbolic nature ONLY. Law enforcement and the D.A. have really changed their policies in NO WAY! Enforcement of the law regarding marijuana cultivation is the same as it has always been. "Mom and Pop" growers who grow striclty for their own use and people who like to smoke a joint at home after work have always been low on the priority list for prosecution. The only thing that has changed around here "compassionate use" or "Medical Marijuana". You can pay $100.00 for a Dr. appt. and see an M.D. who will recommend marijuana as a therapeutic alternative to other prescription drugs and/or therapies. He cannot prescribe marijuana, he can only recommend its use. You are then given a piece of paper stating this recommendation. You are then required to go to the local sherriffs office to get an official "Medical Marijuana Users I.D." complete with your picture, name, address, etc. which they keep on file. This I.D. must be renewed annually along with the M.D. recommendation for continued use. This allows the patient to cultivate or assign a designated caregiver to cultivate marijuana for them. This is only recognized in Mendocino Co. It is still illegal under federal law and not all Calif. counties recognize medical/compassionate use. As for growing without a medical recommendation: if you grow in your backyard and your neighbors complain, law enforcement stumbles upon it, etc. the penalties are the same as they have always been. The D.A. will, in most cases, prosecute you in some way, whether it be a fine, drug deferral classes, or jail time. This all depends on who you are, your history, prior arrests for similar offenses and the size of your crop/quantity of processed marijuana in your possession. THIS IS HOW IT HAS ALWAYS BEEN! NOTHING HAS CHANGED! So please stop perpetuating a myth that has gotten quite a few people in to some serious trouble because they believed what some ignorant fool told them. Remember-FEDERAL LAW SUPERCEDES ALL STATE AND LOCAL LAWS. As long as the "FED" says it is illegal, it is ILLEGAL! [ Post Comment ] Comment #7 posted by Sancho on June 19, 2002 at 12:05:22 PT: I need information I have an elderly friend who is just getting over throat cancer and suffers from other ailments as well. He has been using pot to help alleviate the symptoms of his condition but has become very afraid of the law throwing him in jail. He asked me to find out what I could about growing legal marijuana in the northern California area, and also to find doctors who are willing to determine if he is eligible for cultivation of medical marijuana. Any info pertaining to the subject would be great. Thanks [ Post Comment ] Comment #6 posted by bobbert on April 08, 2002 at 15:06:03 PT: Mendocino What about age laws? I can't believe there's a place right in California that allows it-I thought you'd have to go to Amsterdam or have cancer or something to ever smoke pot legally. [ Post Comment ] Comment #5 posted by mike hill on October 16, 2001 at 12:08:17 PT: best way to grow Hi,you were asking for some help on how to grow pot.I recently came across a specialty pot growing machine that seems to surepass anything on the market,it can grow a pound and a half of very high grade pot or any other tropical plant at the unheard of speed of 6 weeks.The beauty of this machine is that it is built to use in doors and is UL aproved.This machine is 4-6-2ft,it has no dirt, circulating water, fans,and timers,it draws about as much energy as a fridge.With the special fertilizers and the unbelievable lighting system I have yet to see anything come close to it.If you are interested let me know and I would be happy to make a call.I should metion that these growing units are around 3500.00 dollars,but they work great. [ Post Comment ] Comment #4 posted by pot_plant on June 25, 2001 at 07:57:43 PT: making this stuff..... could someone please e-mail me and tell me how to make pot, or where i could get the stuff to grow it. [ Post Comment ] Comment #3 posted by Kelly on January 22, 2001 at 14:19:47 PT: pot What are people supposto do these days? Expecially when you live 100 miles from any kind of socity. That is why people somoke, that and all the other billons of reasons. God created Marijuana as a part of this earthwhy elce would it be here if it wasn't ment to be SMOKED? Legalize Marijuana for ME and Everyone elce! [ Post Comment ] Comment #2 posted by mungojelly on November 08, 2000 at 21:05:52 PT: an important symbolic victory This victory does not make marijuana legal anywhere in any way, but it is nonetheless an important step. Marijuana legalization can only move forward when those places and people who support it are willing to speak out. Also, it is absolutely true -- and a very sad fact -- that growers and sellers of marijuana do not on the whole support legalization. Perhaps those who support the criminality of marijuana cultivation should examine what company they are keeping. P.S. Why is there a link to www.greenparty.org on here? Was the GPUSA actually involved with this initiative? I suspect that a link to www.greenparties.org would be more appropriate -- that is the site of the ASGP, the organization whose platform is actually supported by Ralph Nader et al. We should try not to perpetuate this confusion... mungojelly [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by Kanabys on November 08, 2000 at 16:51:18 PT HE HE.... Great, this needs to be a nationwide thing!!! [ Post Comment ] Post Comment Name: Optional Password: E-Mail: Subject: Comment: [Please refrain from using profanity in your message] Link URL: Link Title: