We unequivocally support removing marijuana growing operations from the Mendocino National Forest and all other public lands. We consider this a no-brainer. However, it is our obligation as elected officials to do more than simply line up behind what’s popular. We also consider it our duty to define solutions to long-standing problems.
The point we made at the Board of Supervisors meeting of August 2 was that illegal growing on public lands will not end until the federal laws are changed. We did not criticize Sheriff Allman’s efforts, not did we criticize the other jurisdictions – county, state, and federal – – that participated in Full Court Press.
This is a time when government must spend its dollars wisely. It is our shared opinion that the war on drugs is not a wise expenditure. The horrors of the Prohibition era ended shortly after President Roosevelt lifted the ban on alcohol. Interestingly, that’s also when our local alcohol industry began its steady ascent. We believe that ending marijuana prohibition would have a similar beneficial effect.
John Pinches, Supervisor, District Three, Laytonville
Dan Hamburg, Supervisor, District Five, Ukiah
MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom
Pubdate: Wed, 17 Aug 2011
Source: Anderson Valley Advertiser (CA)
Contact: editor@theava.com
Copyright: 2011 Anderson Valley Advertiser
Website: http://www.theava.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2667
Authors: John Pinches and Dan Hamburg