[420 Girl]

After years of resolutions and city and county government proposals, Mendocino County voters have been called upon to once again define medical marijuana policy in the county.

Measure B, which was placed on the ballot by the Mendocino County Board of Supervisors on Jan. 8, would repeal Measure G and 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.

Measure G, which was passed by Mendocino County voters in 2000, set medical marijuana limits at 25 plants and the equivalent in dried product, and dictated that prosecution of small-scale marijuana possession be the lowest possible priority for law enforcement.

Yes on B spokesman Ross Liberty said the measure is necessary to correct a perception that Mendocino County is a good place to grow marijuana commercially.

Liberty, who said he voted for Measure G in 2000, said the 25-plant limit has made it possible for a grower with the medical marijuana recommendations of several people to grow large amounts of marijuana to sell commercially with little fear of prosecution.

"It's reflective of the permissive attitude we have here," he said.

In its ballot argument, the No on B coalition said Measure B would target small-scale medical marijuana growers instead of focusing on the more serious threat of large-scale commercial growers.

"Mendocino County will not be made safer by cracking down on small personal use growers," No on B said in its ballot argument. "It will be made less safe by diverting police resources."
Liberty argued that 25 plants would provide far more marijuana than even the sickest patient could require for personal use.

"You can't smoke that much," he said.

Measure B will also clear up some of the confusion that law enforcement faces in Mendocino County by setting plant limits at the state standard, Liberty said.

"It doesn't add new layers," he said. "It repeals a bad law."

When Measure G was put to a vote in 2000, it passed with 58 percent of the vote. Liberty said those numbers do not intimidate Yes on B proponents.

He said a poll he had taken indicates Measure B should pass with 65 percent of the vote in June.

"One thing is certain," Liberty said. "If we lose, we're going to look back with misty eyes on 2008 and the minimal marijuana problem that we had."

The vote is scheduled for June 3.

Attempts to contact a spokesperson for No on B were unsuccessfull at press time.

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