cannabisnews.com: Mendocino Co. First in US To Decrim. Marijuana Mendocino Co. First in US To Decrim. Marijuana Posted by FoM on November 08, 2000 at 06:41:25 PT By Mike Geniella, The Press Democrat Source: Press Democrat By a 58-42 margin Tuesday, Mendocino County voters approved a measure to decriminalize personal use of marijuana, a first in the United States. The Green Party-sponsored Measure G ran strong in every area of the county, and especially on the Mendocino Coast where the final vote count widened the winning margin significantly. Supporters were jubilant early Wednesday morning.Former Rep. Dan Hamburg, a former Democrat who joined the Green Party and helped campaign for Measure G, said the outcome underscores Mendocino County residents' weariness with state and federal campaigns against marijuana growers. "The decisive outcome should send the message we were hoping: People who are intimately aware of the government's anti-marijuana crusade are demanding that the focus of lawmakers and law enforcement shift to hard, dangerous drugs and not an illicit weed that's been around for centuries," said Hamburg.Measure G support cut across political boundaries and age groups."I'm old enough to remember Prohibition. That didn't work, and neither are the marijuana laws," said Anne Rogers of Boonville. Rogers said she voted for Measure G because she believes it's time to change criminal laws surrounding personal use of marijuana.Patricia Kubran of Redwood Valley said she, too, voted for the measure. "I feel the courts are crowded enough. Let's focus on the real criminals."Although there was no organized opposition, numerous county political and education leaders spoke out against Measure G, fearing passage would send the wrong message to young people. The marijuana measure, which has attracted national attention, would allow individuals to grow and harvest up to 25 plants. Sale and transportation of marijuana still would be illegal under the measure's provisions.Local law enforcement leaders said the measure is mostly symbolic. Sheriff Tony Craver and District Attorney Norman Vroman said they will enforce state and federal marijuana laws, which take precedent over local laws.The marijuana vote topped a local ballot that consisted mainly of city elections in Ukiah, Willits and Fort Bragg, and a $30 million hospital bond measure on the Mendocino Coast.In a closely watched race for Ukiah mayor, current City Council member Philip Ashiku won with 46 percent of the vote. Challenger Kathy Libby trailed with 41 percent. Challenger David Dickey, who ran unsuccessfully in June for the county Board of Supervisors, received 12 percent even though he dropped out of the mayor's race a week before the election.Among five candidates seeking two seats on the Ukiah City Council, candidate Eric Larson was the top vote-getter with 26 percent. Incumbent Roy Smith squeaked by challenger Paul Andersen with 22.8 percent of the vote. Andersen received 22.2 percent. Candidate Jim Mulheren had 19 percent. Candidate Ed Harnett was running last with 9 percent.On the Mendocino Coast, a count of absentee ballots showed a $5.5 million bond issue to upgrade the Mendocino Coast Hospital captured a whopping 81 percent of the vote.In Willits, incumbents Bruce Burton and Karen Oslund won re-election, but fellow council member Terry Harvey lost to Tami Jorgensen.Note: Winning Measure G allows up to 25 pot plants for personal use.Complete Title: Mendocino County First in U.S. to Decriminalize Marijuana You can reach Staff Writer Mike Geniella at 462-6470 or e-mail: mgeniella pressdemocrat.comSource: Press Democrat, The (CA) Author: Mike Geniella, The Press Democrat Published: November 8, 2000Copyright: 2000 The Press Democrat Address: Letters Editor, P. O. Box 569, Santa Rosa CA 95402 Fax: (707) 521-5305 Contact: letters pressdemo.com Website: http://www.pressdemo.com/ Forum: http://www.pressdemocrat.com/opinion/talk.htmlFeedback: http://www.pressdemocrat.com/opinion/letform.html Related Articles & Web Site:The Green Partyhttp://www.greenparty.org/DEA 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.shtmlHigh on Voters' Minds in Mendocino Countyhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread7493.shtml Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #18 posted by NATE on September 03, 2001 at 18:00:57 PT MENDOCINO MARIJUANA I LOVE THE FACT THAT THEY HAVE LEGALIZED HERB IN MENDOCINO COUNTY ITS THE BEST PLACE TO GO FOR VACATION AND SMOKE A FAT CHRONIC JOINT BLUNT OR A FAT BOWL AND JUST CHILL ON THE COAST WHICH I DO .420 [ Post Comment ] Comment #17 posted by 10 YEARS AFTER on August 09, 2001 at 11:48:40 PT RESPONSIBILITIES OF USAGE I FULLY SUPPORT THE LEGALIZATION OF MARIJUANA FOR RESPONSIBLE USERS. FOR ME IT HAS BEEN 10 YEARS SINCE I LAST INDULGED. I DO NOT BELIEVE LEGALIZATION WILL LEAD TO THE DESTRUCTION OF AMERICAN SOCIETY, NOR TO THE CORREPTION OF AMERICAN YOUTH. IT IS A GOOD THING THAT THIS ISSUE BE DEBATED OPENLY AND INTELLECTUALLY. [ Post Comment ] Comment #16 posted by Rachel K. on July 21, 2001 at 17:07:20 PT: Fight for your rights! I am extremely pleased to see that many people, including government officials, are beginning to see marijuana from an unbiased standpoint. So many people consider marijuana as an evil only because it is illegal. I am pleased that people are willing to voice their opinions regarding cannabis. I hope that many more people decide to fight, without violence, for their God- given rights. [ Post Comment ] Comment #15 posted by joser on January 30, 2001 at 23:52:12 PT: ITS NATURE MARIJUANA HAS BEEN AROUND BEFOR ANY OF US . GOD CREATED IT JUST LIKE IT DID US . FREE MARIJUANA ITS GODS GIFT TO US ! [ Post Comment ] Comment #14 posted by P. GOSS on January 16, 2001 at 02:53:46 PT: CANNABIS LAWS I"m stoked to see some positive movement for the plant.After all its just a plant that can stop the cutting of forrest, makes paper, clothes, etc. and the gov.should worry about missing children or homelessness!I want to throwup when I really think about this stuffbut keep fighting! LAND OF THE FREE? [ Post Comment ] Comment #13 posted by dddd on January 01, 2001 at 17:18:05 PT Mendicino Dustin.....It's in northern California....for no reason at all [ Post Comment ] Comment #12 posted by Dustin on January 01, 2001 at 16:53:31 PT Where exactly is Mendo? I would like to know for no reason at all...... [ Post Comment ] Comment #11 posted by Munchies on December 03, 2000 at 01:02:42 PT Smoke one for mendo the state and federal laws are still anti-weed but I agree that the local laws changing does have an effect. The local law being changed shows that people in that area belive their town can handle legal weedandwhy not caffine is widely used and its not as healthy alcohol ruins the cerebelum(which controls movenment.etc.)So good for you guys I live in bc and thought we would be before you but good for you. [ Post Comment ] Comment #10 posted by eco2 on November 13, 2000 at 19:17:50 PT Greens do it again! *Greens and the Drug War. Worldwide. LINKS. Green Party candidates, positions, platforms, etc.. Concerning the Drug War, cannabis, marijuana, harm reduction, etc.. Ralph Nader info, links.http://www.angelfire.com/rnb/y/greens.htm and *9-00. MAP/DrugNews SEARCH SHORTCUT for many press articles about RALPH NADER's September 8, 2000 press conference in Santa Fe, New Mexico where he called for legalizing cannabis/marijuana, and for harm reduction drug reform. Ralph Nader "called for the legalization of marijuana as part of an overhaul of the nation's 'self-defeating and antiquated drug laws.' ... Legalizing marijuana, Nader said, would allow the government to regulate and potentially tax its use like tobacco products." -Albuquerque Journal, September 8, 2000.http://www.mapinc.org/find?BK=nader+johnson+santa&YY1=1997 [ Post Comment ] Comment #9 posted by Doctor Dave on November 08, 2000 at 20:24:36 PT Link to more Mendicino Measure G info http://www.sfgate.com/election/returns/Races/From_Mendocino_County-Prop_G.shtml http://www.sfgate.com/election/returns/Races/From_Mendocino_County-Prop_G.shtml [ Post Comment ] Comment #8 posted by Mark on November 08, 2000 at 12:55:34 PT: Congrats Mendocino Wow, you guys can smoke it, grow it and not feel guilty (or be guilty). Wishing you many high times, Mark [ Post Comment ] Comment #7 posted by radicalbrad on November 08, 2000 at 10:34:44 PT Its about time!!! I live in mendocino and tonite i will sleep better.Me and a few select friends got togather at a cliff overlooking big river beach here in mendocino and officialy kicked off measure G with 3 great big SKUNK joints and wached the waves.Then we walked back around and harvested my 5 indica plants on my back porch.Its about time?Thank all of you voters in mendocino county. [ Post Comment ] Comment #6 posted by TroutMask on November 08, 2000 at 09:52:17 PT Yeah, I know... Yes dddd, I know that Mendo will not suddenly become an Amsterdam...just positive feelings...However, BC might not be a bad idea...they have snowboarding too I believe...hmmmmmm. [ Post Comment ] Comment #5 posted by fivepounder on November 08, 2000 at 08:42:48 PT VICTORY I can't wait to drive thru Mendo and see palnts here and there. This might be symbolic but its going to have an effect. One big nail in the war on some drugs coffin [ Post Comment ] Comment #4 posted by dddd on November 08, 2000 at 07:27:59 PT Troutmask Vacation Troutmask,,,California might be a nice destination for your vacation,but dont be thinkin' things are all of a sudden gonna be that wonderful here.The state is still hoppin' with lots of brutal,weed hatin',law enforcement nuts.....If I was you,I might consider Vancouver British Columbia.From what I hear,it's about as close as you can get to the Netherlands on this continent. Hope you have a nice vacation. May JAH shine on you.....dddd [ Post Comment ] Comment #3 posted by dddd on November 08, 2000 at 07:18:59 PT good and bad Yes,it's a fabulous,positive victory in the battle for freedom and sanity for marijuana,and the peaceful people who enjoy its benifits. Most of the other voters around the country approved various initiatives. The main problem still remains,and it is an out of touch,cash influenced,federal regime,that will continue to wage its evil and idiotic war against its own citizens. All we can do is keep on keepin' on,and hope for the best.....dddd [ Post Comment ] Comment #2 posted by TroutMask on November 08, 2000 at 07:18:26 PT A Vacation Destination? My wife and I are planning a trip to a marijuana-friendly probably European country next summer. Maybe now we'll make it California and save a thousand $ or two. Thank You Mendocino!!!!! [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by ache on November 08, 2000 at 06:50:39 PT: Good old MENDO History has been made................ [ Post Comment ] Post Comment Name: Optional Password: E-Mail: Subject: Comment: [Please refrain from using profanity in your message] Link URL: Link Title: