Measure B - Listen online

Yes on Measure B / KMEC - 04.15.08

Measure B debate / Ukiah City Council - 04.14.08

Measure B / KZYX - 04.10.08

No on Measure B / KMEC - 04.08.08

Measure B will…

Help protect Mendocino County from abuses by commercial marijuana growers.

On June 3, the voters will have a chance to place limits on marijuana growers who create public nuisances, cause environmental damage, and endanger public safety.

Measure B on the June ballot will provide:

• That the amount of marijuana allowed for medical marijuana patients will be the same as the limit set by state law to apply throughout California.
  
  The state limit, presently 6 mature plants and 8 ounces of processed marijuana per patient, will replace the higher 25-plant limit that has existed in Mendocino County since 2000. This will stop Mendocino County from being a “magnet" for marijuana growers who move here for quick profit.
  
  
• That Measure G is repealed.
  
  "Measure G ordered the sheriff to make enforcement of all marijuana laws his lowest priority, below even jaywalking. Prosecutions for less than 25 plants “per single case” was prohibited. Measure G discourages law enforcement and the Board of Supervisors from stopping abuses and threats to health and safety. Whenever the County tries to impose any limits on marijuana growing, the “no-limits” marijuana lobby threatens to sue for “violation of Measure G.”
  
  Measure B Full text

Why do we need Measure B?

Measure B is an ordinance before the voters June 3 to stop abuses by commercial marijuana growers who cause a public nuisance, endanger public safety, or trash the environment.

Why was Measure B put on the ballot?
 
Commercial marijuana cultivation in Mendocino County is out of control and the county has been ineffective in dealing with the severe impacts it has caused.  The root of the problem is that county officials don’t know if the voters want them to take any action against profit-seeking commercial marijuana growing that masquerades as “medical marijuana.”  Measure B provides a voter mandate for reasonable protections, while not interfering with legitimate medical marijuana.


Why is there any doubt about our desire for protection against harmful impacts?

Because eight years ago, an initiative called Measure G told the sheriff and district attorney to make enforcement of all marijuana laws their lowest priority, lower even than jaywalking.  Measure G also tried to block law enforcement in any “case” of 25 plants or less.  Although it had no binding legal effect because law enforcement puts state law ahead of county ordinances, Measure G had a strong political effect that caused politicians and law enforcement to turn their backs on many marijuana problems.  We became a magnet for “no limits” commercial growers who moved here—often into residential neighborhoods like yours.


What does Measure B do?

Two simple things:  First, it repeals Measure G..  Second, it adopts the state recommended rule of 6 mature or 12 immature plants, plus ½ pound dried marijuana per medical marijuana patient—more if recommended by a physician.  This will replace the county’s current 25-plant medical marijuana limit, which is excessive.  See the text of Measure B HERE.


Who is against Measure B?

The commercial marijuana lobby—including growers who pretend they’re just growing medical marijuana..  They want to continue using dozens of “caregiver cards”—real or phony—as a cover for growing huge amounts of marijuana, up to 1000 plants in one case.  The game is to pretend they’re growing 25 plants of “medical marijuana” for each of the alleged patients, and then sell it on the open market for big profits.

Are medical patients protected under Measure B?

Yes.  Six mature plants is plenty for almost anyone, and there is no limit to the amount a medical patient can have if a physician certifies that they need it.


Will Measure B criminalize personal use?

No. State law has always made it a crime to use or grow marijuana, unless you have a physician’s recommendation. Measure G didn’t change that and neither will Measure B. But law enforcement has no time to target personal users. Measure B won’t change that either. In a statement on March 11, 2008, Sheriff Tom Allman said: 

“Measure B will not change our focus. Investigating violent crime will remain our top priority. We do not, and will not, target small grows. We will continue to focus on large grows and complaints about growers who create a public nuisance, endanger public safety or trash the environment.”
      
--Sheriff Tom Allman, 3/11/08


Then why are the opponents saying that Measure B will deny sick patients their medicine and criminalize personal use?

Because they’re trying to trick you into voting against Measure B. Don’t be fooled Vote “Yes” on Measure B to support reasonable limits.


Isn't the answer complete legalization?

Many of us agree the best solution is an end to federal and state prohibition, but that’s beyond our control. The best thing we can do right now is to get in line with the state guidelines so that we aren’t a magnet for commercial growers who care only about profit and care nothing about our neighborhoods, public safety, or the environment.

The “no-limits” policy in Mendocino County since 2000 has made us a magnet for marijuana growers who move here for a quick profit. This influx has caused many serious problems, including:

Public safety—Home invasions by armed robbers have terrorized innocent families. Growers bring guns and attack dogs into residential neighborhoods in response. Local residents feel unsafe on their own property during harvest season.

Public nuisance—The strong odor from marijuana plants unreasonably impacts neighbors who in some cases live only a few feet away.

Environment—Illegal diversion of streams, spills of diesel fuel, hazardous waste, fires, poisoning of wildlife, erosion and massive dumping of plastic debris and other trash is causing an environmental disaster in Mendocino County.

Schools—Schools continue to be impacted with several cases of backyard marijuana growing over the fence from local schools. Further, local students are increasingly turning to marijuana cultivation as a "career path".

Roads—Speeding vehicles driven by growers, their workers and customers have impacted rural roads. Some roads are pounded into dust by diesel delivery and water trucks.

Click here for images & more

Existing Law information

For more information on existing marijuana laws;
Proposition 215, SB 420, 11362.5H&S & Measure G

Click Here

Message from Yes On B Coalition

Measure B must pass by a large margin to send a message to our elected officials that marijuana must not be allowed to destroy the quality of life in Mendocino County and it will send a message to commercial marijuana growers that they are no longer welcome.

Please join us in this effort.
Sincerely,

Yes On B Coalition
Duane Wells,
Don "DJ" Miller - Co-Chairmen