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238 Comments
- Frankyfan3, on 02/24/2009, -5/+166This is a war on people, not a war on drugs.
- zephc, on 02/24/2009, -8/+132Wow, Mendocino County is one of those last hippy holdouts - it's a gorgeous location up and down the highway there, but it's terrible to hear that the sheriff's dept. up there are going all Gestapo, especially with decriminalization and legalization becoming more and more popular in the state. (Maybe they are trying to drum up some last bits of money before that well dries up)
Up yours, Mendocino County Sheriff's Department, and leave alone all non-violent growers, users and shops - which is most except for operations controlled by gangs... gangs that wouldnt even be involved at ALL *if* it was legalized.
Our drug laws make absolutely no sense. - zulfy26, on 02/24/2009, -4/+84Give the sheriffs office a call and tell them what you think... they work for us remember?
707-463-4411 - FreedomsFire, on 02/24/2009, -6/+75It's interesting that she says it's the county sheriff's office that's doing this. Obama says he's going to end (or has ended) federal raids on growers/distributers that would otherwise be legal under state law. But these are county officials with felony warrants, so the jurisdiction is California, not federal. I thought the State of California had laws allowing what this woman is doing. This sounds very strange. I wish this woman blessing and luck in getting this sorted out.
- JeffH, on 02/24/2009, -2/+38"It's not a war on drugs, it's a war on personal freedom"
- rawnzilla, on 02/24/2009, -4/+35When can we raid the Mendocino County Sheriff's Department?
- djaxus, on 02/24/2009, -4/+34It isn't, laws that violate basic civil liberties are.
- BillDoE, on 02/24/2009, -1/+29Mendocino County Sheriff's Office Press Release
http://www.mendocinosheriff.com/press/view.cgi?123 ...
Never say anything until you get an attorney.
"Krause admitted to growing the marijuana to pay for her mortgage." - Qbryzan, on 02/24/2009, -2/+28It's California, where marijuana is allowed for qualifying patients and is considered a medicine under the law. What they are doing sounds an awful lot like actively subverting the law.
- consoneo, on 02/24/2009, -4/+25It's not enforcing the law... It's legal to do what she was doing where she was doing it.
- OneRottenTomato, on 02/24/2009, -2/+22Enforcing a law created from racism, fear, control, and corporate greed?
Yeah. If the boot fits... Gestapo. - thekarmastrike, on 02/24/2009, -2/+22i'm a little fuzzy on the law here, but isn't it illegal for the local authorities to carry out operations based on the fact that growing sanctioned medical plants is legal in the state?
anyone know? - drmobutu, on 02/24/2009, -1/+19Mendocino used to allow 24 plants, but there was a backlash...last year, the voters repealed it, and now the limit is six. So the sheriffs bust everybody they can find, and decide how to file the charges later, depending on how many plants, and how much other illegal stuff they find...
- Spartacusprime, on 02/24/2009, -6/+24This is why we need to end the war on drugs.
- kolop1, on 02/24/2009, -3/+20Yes, our tax money at work.
- jcardinal, on 02/24/2009, -1/+18busy signal
- AbsorbsQuickly, on 02/24/2009, -2/+19No, I'd really rather fight to bring back liberty than just cede to tyranny personally. Grow some balls and stand up for what you believe in.
- twiztidsinz, on 02/24/2009, -0/+16This -IS- State Law Enforcement who is acting, not Federal.
"My name is Laurel Krause. Last Friday (2/20/09) as I looked out my kitchen window I was shocked to see 25 Mendocino County Sheriffs/Deputies coming through my gate very quickly." - Ne007, on 02/25/2009, -0/+15alcohol is a drug. tylenol and aspirin are drugs.
Marijuana is a drug that is illegal in order to suppress and imprison the people. - inactive, on 02/24/2009, -6/+21this is *****. We are on the eve of it being legalized for real in California and some dumb ass cops going and raid a legitimate medical grow.
- dandandantheman, on 02/24/2009, -2/+17It shouldn't be a crime. If drinking beer isn't a crime, using marijuana definitely shouldn't be a crime.
- dandandantheman, on 02/24/2009, -1/+15There's a button for that
- mapleshade, on 02/24/2009, -0/+14It's pretty lame that the county that granted them permission to grow medical marijuana has seen fit to punish them for "a crime".
- dandandantheman, on 02/24/2009, -0/+14"If you don't believe drugs have done good things for us, then go home and burn all your records, all your tapes, and all your CDs because every one of those artists who have made brilliant music and enhanced your lives? RrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrEAL ***** high on drugs. The Beatles were so ***** high they let Ringo sing a few songs."
-Bill Hicks - mapleshade, on 02/24/2009, -1/+14Unfortunately it costs the government quite a bit of money to bust small time growers, those that grow medicine for personal use no less. There's no quantity of cash to be seized here. The only way they may recoop the costs of the bust is to steal this persons property and auction it. Pretty weak way for the government to make money.
- ygeoff419, on 02/25/2009, -1/+14that's a good sign :)
- Lawofnations, on 02/25/2009, -0/+12"In the Treatise on Law in his Summa Theologica, Thomas Aquinas explains (citing Augustine) that not all vices should be punished by law. Human laws should chiefly forbid those things that cause direct physical harm to others; Aquinas offers murder and theft as examples. With regard to practices that do not physically harm or defraud others (whatever other intangible grief they may cause), it can be necessary to tolerate them if prohibiting them would lead to still further evils..the law cannot make a wicked person virtuous." Ron Paul, The Revolution-A Manifesto, Chpt. 5 - Civil Liberties and Personal Freedom, 2008
- NotYourProdigy, on 02/25/2009, -0/+11^^"another pot head drug pusher off of the streets."
Are you delusional? This hasn't worked at all in the last 3 decades. Pot is more plentiful than ever. - starmanfalls, on 02/25/2009, -0/+11typical damn pigs. The blue gang, with badges and resourses of the state of Ca. I hope they have to lay off 50% of the pricks. And the sooner the better.
- SaladCactusKing, on 02/25/2009, -1/+12I was really upset after reading the article and even called the Sheriff's office in disgust. The receptionist on the other line seemed confused when I told her that tax paying citizens shouldn't have to deal with attacking people in pain in a so called war on drugs. Now I know why:
http://www.mpp.org/states/california/news/another- ...
He seems to be all for legitimizing and legalizing medical marijuana and has never arrested or cut down any legitimate marijuana growers. It seems like maybe this woman has more going on in her story than we may have been informed because the atttitude of Sheriff is anything but antipot.
Copy of his editorial in the reply for those to lazy to click a link. - Dignan666, on 02/24/2009, -0/+10RIP Bill.
- BooksSmart, on 02/24/2009, -2/+12What about the thousands of unsolved murders and rape cases? Don't you think that the limited state budget should be using their resources on them instead of these non-violent people?
- Qbryzan, on 02/25/2009, -0/+10You're missing the point. It's not about wanting to "become a stoner", it's about objecting to an out-of-control drug war that has ruined far too many lives.
You know who else didn't smoke weed? Kathryn Johnston, but she's dead because of the war on drugs.
Cheye Calvo, the mayor of Berwyn Heights, MD, didn't smoke weed either, but that didn't keep the police from killing his 2 dogs when they mistakenly raided his house.
That's just 2 of many, many examples.. Perhaps you should start paying attention. - TheNyquilKid, on 02/24/2009, -6/+16Get it out of your systems now *****, soon it will be legal there and you can chill the ***** out.
- StevieJanowski, on 04/02/2009, -0/+10Doh. Seriously don't people watch enough law shows to know to not talk, even if the cops are being dicks.
- Exhaust, on 02/24/2009, -3/+13Breathe in. Breathe out. Chill......
I'm going to take a flying leap here and assume that this news wasn't the reason for all your Obama hate. I get the feeling you've had a raging clue for this guy for quite some time and are just looking for a reasons to rant about it.
I want him to stop these raids too and fast but I'm willing to give him some time before I go all aggro like you. I think he is fully aware that the vast majority of his base is in favor of stopping these pointless raids and won't stand for it come election time. No matter what you think of the man he most certainly is not an idiot and knows his re-election in 2012 isn't a given. - spritom, on 02/24/2009, -6/+16So what's the siege? Is law enforcement carrying out enforcement on an existing law or not? If they are, then things such as "the growers being mothers with children" shouldn't be a consideration. The consideration is whether they're breaking the law or not.
Now there is the whole "medical" side of the issue where the state and the fed differ. And I understand the "med" side isn't exactly defined well.
As one who is quite familiar with Mendocino County (Ukiah, Willits, Covelo, Laytonville...the lot of them), pot is extremely prolific there. Sure, there are many who have jumped on the medical bandwagon, and some of which may actually have a medical condition. But the vast majority would be smoking it up in any case. As Ms Krause points out, it's about 70% of the county's economy. The economy used to be chiefly based upon logging/lumber, however that has shrunk about 95% in the past two decades.
I realize that marijuana is a popular subject on Digg and perhaps I'll get dugg down. It sounds like Ms Krause is a bit upset. Perhaps she's legal with the "under 25 plants" thing. But much of the article just doesn't seem that surprising. Finding illegal pot plants is currently a function of law enforcement. That may change, but until then, that's they're job. - inactive, on 02/24/2009, -5/+15Growers need to start using webcams that feed right to the internet so we can start seeing the DEA's faces... I dont know who the DEA thinks they are protecting but as a citizen I in no way want this person or any other persons you have busted charged with anything...
The DEA IS THE PROBLEM. Keep doing your ***** work it means nothing. - spritom, on 02/24/2009, -1/+10Resource allocation is a valid argument. Not one that Ms. Krause invoked in the linked article, but it doesn't make it any less valid.
The crime rate there is a little below average, but since these towns are so small it might seem pretty calm. Typically a town like Willits might have 0 murders and about 25 violent crimes for the year. But when it occurs, it's felt through the community as nearly everyone knows nearly everyone (such as occurred last year).
Taking those types of crimes and measure against the very prolific use of marijuana (medical or otherwise), it's pretty easy to assign just a few days of resources and garner a lot of arrests in that area. Perhaps similar to law enforcement making a large showing of writing speeding tickets on a metropolitan freeway for a day or two, but then leave it alone again for months.
Taking Ms. Krause's article at face value, she opines that law enforcement was disappointed by what they found and not finding those 500+ plant farms. Perhaps they had bad intel and thought they were making a big bust. There's also a dollar value here as big drug busts can and do pump a lot of money back into that local government's budget so they can get new police cars, new desks for county officials, etc. - IMTheSupervisor, on 02/24/2009, -1/+10I spent all of the summer of '07 doing research on a wilderness preserve in Mendocino county -- it was absolutely gorgeous. The people I interacted with whenever we went into town (Willits, Ukaiah, or Ft. Bragg usually) were always super friendly and genuine. The few months I was there were among the best of my life. It's absolutely shocking to think that the kind, law-abiding people I talked to on a daily basis are being made out to be villains.
My heart goes out to you folks in Mendocino county. I hope I can come back for a visit sometime soon -- I can't find Red Seal anywhere in Minneapolis! - Whorebane, on 02/25/2009, -0/+9You obviously have an infinite desire to be a fascist and infringe on other people's individual rights.
- dandandantheman, on 02/24/2009, -0/+9Learn "context" and "replies". And shut the ***** up.
Also, it's not illegal to brew beer, so the same thing applies to growing weed if we're talking about legalizing the use of marijuana. - 1fastdak, on 02/25/2009, -1/+10In California, Its legal to sell to medical dispensaries.
At least that's her only defense left.
What a loudmouth. I bet the police just roughed her up a bit and treated her like a violent criminal and she confessed everything. Never ever talk to the police or try to make a deal. They have no honor and will say anything to get info. Scum. - Qbryzan, on 02/25/2009, -0/+9"There are two types of laws: just and unjust. One has not only a legal but a moral responsibility to obey just laws. Conversely, one has a moral responsibility to disobey unjust laws. We should never forget that everything Adolf Hitler did in Germany was "legal""
-Martin Luther King, jr. - headgames, on 02/24/2009, -3/+11It is when the people of this FREE COUNTRY want hemp to be legalized
- dandandantheman, on 02/24/2009, -6/+14get a brain moran.
- SaladCactusKing, on 02/25/2009, -1/+9Tom Allman
February 16, 2009
Ukiah Daily Journal (CA)
Over the past 8 months, I have received an increasing number of anonymous letters and e-mails regarding commercial marijuana growers and the abusive attitudes they exhibit to their neighbors. These "in-your face" growers bully their way into usually quiet neighborhoods — urban and rural. There are 4th and 5th generation Mendocino County residents who fear for their property and lives and are planning to move.
The law abiding residents of our county have a right to be free from this kind of abuse. A recent letter to the editor (Feb. 5 Mendocino County Observer) is a chilling but vivid example of what is happening. The fact that we have growers with no pride of ownership in our County is a personal concern of mine and apparently to the letter writers as well. I am very appreciative of the citizens who remind us how illegal growing negatively affects our County:
Effects such as:
Environmental damage to hillsides, trees and watersheds;
Theft of water or waste of water;
Illegal use of pesticides and herbicides;
The killing and maiming of wildlife;
The false economy produced by absentee growers.
The anonymous letters I receive each week beg for a more efficient way to enforce existing laws and arrest abusive growers. Few if any letters describe legitimate medical marijuana grows.
This year I have focused the resources of my office on two types of illegal growers: first-time growers who believe they can legally grow marijuana here for any reason; and, the transient growers who live in our county from April until October then leave. I have one message for these people who thumb their noses at our laws and our citizens: we will find you, we will arrest you, we will eradicate your plants and seize your assets, and we will seek your prosecution to the fullest extent of the law.
Our nation, our state and our county are in the midst of a financial crisis. Law enforcement is not immune. Our resources are stretched thin, and it may seem that now is a good time to exploit these perceived weaknesses. Illegal growers will find out soon that our criminal justice system is alive and well. Over 240 commercials growers were arrested in 2008, and over 364,000 plants were eradicated.
Legitimate Medical Marijuana grows were left alone. Our deputies entered 154 medical gardens last year and left without eradicating a single plant because these patients were growing within the boundaries of the law and produced the necessary documentation upon request. There is progress in accepting legitimate medical marijuana. I understand the concern that legitimate patients have and I truly appreciate the fact that legitimate growers often report the abuse of our medical marijuana laws.
As your elected Sheriff, I will continue to respect the rights of legitimate medical marijuana patients. But, please do not expect the Mendocino County Sheriff's Office to ignore possible commercial operations. Evidence showing a commercial operation will lead to arrests and the forfeiture of assets. These investigations will happen by design and not by accident.
I appreciate the fact that a truly respectful, legitimate medical marijuana grower will not be involved in environmental and economic damage. The most recent letter, from the "Wildlife of the Burns Creek Watershed," is an eye-opening reminder of the environmental damage that results from many, if not all, commercial growing operations.
Mendocino County's role in framing the medical marijuana debate has made it unique among counties. Some see us as leaders; others make us the brunt of jokes. I prefer to see us as concerned individuals trying to chart a course through a framework of confusing and sometimes conflicting laws. As your elected Sheriff, I am committed to work with all citizens who have the desire improve the quality of life in our County. That includes balancing the legitimate rights of medical marijuana patients with the need to enforce prohibitions against illegal marijuana cultivation, transportation, distribution and sales.
By working together, we will make our county a better place.
Tom Allman is Sheriff in Mendocino County. - dandandantheman, on 02/24/2009, -0/+8All the more reason for people to get more involved in their state politics and try to push for their side of the issues.
- Birukun, on 02/24/2009, -7/+15Government needs money, so no surprise here.
- Whorebane, on 02/25/2009, -0/+8This was not a DEA raid, it was done by local authorities. A lot of people seem to be missing that point. That being said, while the person being charged is out of the bounds of Prop 215 by distributing (thus technically illegal), this still contradicts the California policy of dealing with marijuana related offenses as the lowest priority. Obviously, putting your police resources to doing a weekend worth of raids on normal people is out of line.
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