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  Organic Veggies, Wine - Why Not Pot?

Posted by CN Staff on February 13, 2005 at 10:06:27 PT
By Glenda Anderson 
Source: Press Democrat 

Mendocino County, known for its organic wine and beer, may soon add marijuana to its list of certified organic products, a sign cannabis has become a mainstream crop.County agriculture officials are asking the state if they can legally certify medical marijuana as an organic product and regulate local pot farms, as they do pear orchards, vineyards and other crops.
"Only in Mendocino County," laughed Carre Brown, administrator of the county Farm Bureau, which represents farmers."We're going to be groundbreakers again. Maybe," said county Assistant Agricultural Commissioner Tony Linegar.Breaking ground is nothing new in Mendocino County, which last year became the first county in the nation to ban genetically modified crops. It's only natural that marijuana would become the next frontier to regulate in the county, long known for its tolerance of the pot culture by local law enforcement.Since California voters legalized medical marijuana in 1996, Mendocino pot farmers have started openly cultivating their plants in suburban backyards.Now, they are seeking government guidance with their pest and pesticide problems.Last year, 12 people brought in plants or buds to the agriculture commissioner's office to have their pests diagnosed, Linegar said."I was a little nervous sitting at my desk with a 6-foot pot plant," he said.Two medical marijuana caregivers - people who legally grow pot for patients - have requested organic certification from the agriculture department, Linegar said.Canada certifies organically-grown medical marijuana, but Mendocino County would be the first government agency in the United States to provide an organic seal of authenticity, said Dane Wilkins, director of the Northern California chapter of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws."I think it's a great idea because people who are sick or in pain using it medicinally deserve access to pot grown without toxic chemicals," he said.In addition to asking the state if the county can certify organic pot, Agricultural Commissioner Dave Bengston wants to know if he should be inspecting marijuana "nurseries" for pests and ensuring cannabis club scales are accurate - duties his department performs for legitimate businesses.He also wants to know if it is appropriate to advise medical marijuana growers on pests and pesticide use, something the department has been doing in a limited fashion with approval from local law enforcement.Although Proposition 215 legalized medical pot, Linegar and Bengston are worried the federal government, which still considers it illegal, may take issue with the county's policy of helping growers."The legal waters are murky," Bengston wrote in a Jan. 21 letter to state Department of Food and Agriculture Secretary A.G. Kawamura.But the need is clear, Linegar said.It's the county agriculture department's job to monitor pests and pesticide use to ensure public safety, he said. There have been reported cases of pot-related pesticide illness in other counties, Linegar said."We're trying to avoid that situation in our county," he said.But it is difficult to give pesticide advice to medical pot growers.Because marijuana is considered illegal under federal law, chemical companies have not developed pesticides to safely treat its pests, Linegar said.Getting a pesticide studied and registered "costs millions of dollars," he said."If it's not a legal crop and they don't see a market for it, they don't want to spend the money," Linegar said.As a result, medical marijuana growers - particularly those in it for the money alone - sometimes use dangerous pesticides to save their valuable plants, he said.In Mendocino County, plants can produce upwards of three pounds worth $2,000 to $4,000 a pound on average."There's so much money involved, people don't care" which pesticides they use, Linegar said.Indoor medical marijuana is particularly prone to mite infestations, Linegar said.But last year, the big problem in all gardens was corn earworm, he said.The worm burrows deep into marijuana buds and leaves bug feces, or frass, inside."It makes a horrible mess. It really ruins the product," Linegar said.Linegar said he's discussed his department's predicament with a state pesticide official, who saw no problem with assisting medical marijuana growers.But the county wants clear direction from the state - in writing - before ag officials begin regulating medical marijuana growers.The county has not yet received a reply from the state, Linegar said."I know it's being discussed in smoke-filled rooms," he quipped.Note: Mendocino County asking state for permission to place label on medical marijuana crop.Source: Press Democrat, The (CA)Author: Glenda Anderson, The Press DemocratPublished: Sunday, February 13, 2005Copyright: 2005 The Press DemocratContact: letters pressdemo.comWebsite: http://www.pressdemo.com/Related Articles & Web Site:Northern California NORML http://www.norcalnorml.org/Ukiah Seeks To Limit Medical Pothttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread20147.shtmlCouncil Looks at Restrictions on Pot Growinghttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread20106.shtmlPot Odors Wafting in Valleyhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread19470.shtml 

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Comment #14 posted by Hope on February 16, 2005 at 10:07:10 PT
Herbdoc
I said, "I know you will be alright."But please give us some confirmation of that as things progress.I know you are busy working your way through a mess...but if you can...let us know how you are doing.Thank you.
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Comment #13 posted by Hope on February 14, 2005 at 09:29:26 PT
herbdoc215
I'm so sad about the results of your hearings. Devastated in fact. But...and this may be just the thoughts of a crazy housewife. "Something's happening here...and what it is ain't exactly clear"...something is going on...and it's good. I know you will be alright. I don't know why...but I sense something good is coming, something is already happening. The "winds" of change did not prevail. Now a deep rumbling is sounding from very far below the surface. An upheaval is coming and it will be for our good...including yours.
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Comment #12 posted by siege on February 13, 2005 at 18:32:30 PT
 herbdoc215
The U S administration of federal legislation Back in the late1960's or early 1970's they passed a law that 
there would be NO refugees to Canada becuse of the Vietnam War so many people when there that Canada Minister of Citizenship and Immigration signed it with no problem, "" so this could be the problem you are having with them."" And then the U S Gov't. Forgave the ones that when to Canada and most came back to the U S.
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Comment #11 posted by elfman_420 on February 13, 2005 at 17:07:21 PT
US = Democracy? (American refugees not recognized)
"the Gov't of Canada say's USA is a democracy and NOBODY can be a refugee from there."That sounds more like something the US told our Canadian friends to say when asked, "How do we explain this decision to not let American refugees into our country to our own citizens?"Besides, how do they define a democracy when it doesn't let all of it's "free" citizens vote. When you get out of prison, don't they tell you that you are "free" now? If law enforcement (generally conservative) knows that whoever they give a felony to won't be able to vote anymore, then this is just one more reason for them to profile minorities (generally democrat).
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Comment #10 posted by JR Bob Dobbs on February 13, 2005 at 13:36:19 PT
Cannabis Gram
A 66-year-old lady in the UK is up on possession charges, and she sends Tony Blair a letter explaining why she feels she should be allowed to use it.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/4261075.stm
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Comment #9 posted by FoM on February 13, 2005 at 13:31:34 PT

herbdoc215
I wanted to comment on what I think about anti-war people coming to Canada this time. I think that when Vietnam happened it wasn't known that well that people were coming to Canada to avoid going to war. It kind of just happened. This time it won't be the same. I just don't think it will. This administration leaves no stone unturned.
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Comment #8 posted by FoM on February 13, 2005 at 12:39:58 PT

I Do Understand
You are in a position now that is shaking up your world. You can't think clearly during these times. You will be able to think clearly in a little time. It's hard when we can't solve a problem when we really want or need to. That is when we learn patience. Learning to be patient is the hardest thing to learn. I know. I don't know anything about what is in the article. Maybe more will surface. Hang in there.
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Comment #7 posted by herbdoc215 on February 13, 2005 at 12:22:57 PT

FoM, I haven't gotten that far yet...
in my thinking because I'm still trying to stay here but when they get me to Cali I'm sure I write to everybody with a mailbox as I've no illusions about what is facing me there. Fred Gardner has an great article on CounterPunch (this is news to me?)that says our cases are on hold until the Raich case ruling by Supremes...here is an except..."Some 30 cases are on hold pending the outcome of Raich. Ann Harrison summarizes them in the upcoming issue of O'Shaughnessy's: Bryan Epis, Keith Alden, The Marin Alliance for Medical Marijuana, the Oakland CBC, WAMM, the Ukiah Cannabis Buyers Club, Ed Rosenthal, David Davidson, Cynthia Blake, Eddie Lepp, Marian Fry and Dale Schafer, Judy and Lynn Osburn, Anna and Gary Barrett, Stephanie Landa, Tom Kikuchi, Kevin Gage, "Duke" Schmidt, Ken Hayes, Rick Watts, Steve McWilliams, Steve Tuck, Michael Teague, Leroy Stubblefield, Jacek Mroz, Jessie Nieblas, Mario Pacetti... The basic crime in each of these cases: implementation of Prop 215."http://www.counterpunch.com/gardner02122005.htmlBut to tell the truth I'm still tharned now and don't know what to do or say. Many people who care about me are planning things to try now but I'm so shocked I fear that I'm not much help to them yet? This will effect all the war resisters also, there is no escape from the 'borg' it would appear? I just can't believe Canada is unwilling to stand up to the USA anymore? Peace, Steve 
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Comment #6 posted by FoM on February 13, 2005 at 12:11:34 PT

A Thought
Have you thought about petitioning the Governor?
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Comment #5 posted by FoM on February 13, 2005 at 12:07:52 PT

Oh My Steve
I really am sorry. 
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Comment #4 posted by herbdoc215 on February 13, 2005 at 11:48:52 PT

Here is passage they say why in?
"Nor did the Board err in its assessment of the availability of state protection. The United States of America is a democracy. The CUA is a law of general application in the State of California. The Federal Drug Enforcement Agency is a federal agency charged with the administration of federal legislation concerning the use of drugs. It is beyond the purview of this Court to comment upon the choices of elected legislative bodies in the enactment of legislation affecting residents of the State of California or the Republic of the United States of America, respectively."

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Comment #3 posted by herbdoc215 on February 13, 2005 at 11:43:10 PT

Here are a few quotes from my decision....
Well the day has finally came, the Gov't of Canada say's USA is a democracy and NOBODY can be a refugee from there. Looks like I got a lot less than thirty days also and just when we were so close to finally getting the mine going so we could use that to keep me here and alive. No telling what the future holds for all of us here, but it's going to play out fast it seems. Here are some excerpts from my decision. This also triggered a 30 day get out of dodge clause that bids me a hasty ado. I can't seem to get a break, it is a shame to end like this after fighting so long and so hard. All we ever wanted to do was live the rest of our lives in peace. Well at least I'm going to show them I have no shame for what I've done, I'll not run or hide but will except whatever is handed to me. Thanks to all those who've tried to help me as it allowed me to soldier on long after I would have been able to on my own. Peace, Steven Tuck
PS, while reading the decision I kept hearing that Nazi judge in my head screaming ,"Murders, Murders, there are no murders in Germany""3]        Alternatively, the Applicant claimed to be a person in need of protection pursuant to section 97(1) of the Act, on the basis that if removed to the United States, he would personally be subjected to a risk to his life or to a risk of cruel and unusual treatment or punishment based on his life threatening need for marijuana that he feared would be denied him in that country.[4]        The Board heard evidence from the Applicant about his cultivation of marijuana plants and the distribution of that product to persons using marijuana as pain relief. The Applicant testified about a raid on his farm on July 24, 2000 when 839 marijuana plants were found in an indoor "grow operation". Another raid occurred on March 12, 2001 and the Applicant and his spouse were issued a "felony ticket" that required their appearance in court.[5]        The Applicant testified that upon attendance in the Court, he and his spouse were advised that no charges had been, or would be, laid against them.[6]        The Applicant believed that he was being harassed by local law enforcement officials and on April 14, 2001, he filed a formal complaint and civil lawsuit against the local Sheriff. Three days later, he was charged with six offences relative to the searches and seizures of July 2000 and March 2001. The Applicant appeared in Court and signed a "waiver non-appearance" agreement that allowed him not to be present for Court appearance until a jury was selected for trial."   
  The Board reviewed the evidence submitted by the Applicant and concluded that he lacked a subjective fear of persecution and risk of harm in the United States. It found his fear to be speculative. Nonetheless, it proceeded to address the issue of state protection and ultimately concluded that the Applicant had failed to show, with "clear and convincing" evidence, that the United States was unwilling or unable to protect him from risk or harm. In this regard, the Board relied upon its reasons in Kubby et al. v. Canada (Minister of Citizenship and Immigration) (17 November 2003), RPD File #VA2-01374, online: IRB  , a case involving similar facts about the use of marijuana for medical purposes by an American citizen and resident of California.
[14]      Nor did the Board err in its assessment of the availability of state protection. The United States of America is a democracy. The CUA is a law of general application in the State of California. The Federal Drug Enforcement Agency is a federal agency charged with the administration of federal legislation concerning the use of drugs. It is beyond the purview of this Court to comment upon the choices of elected legislative bodies in the enactment of legislation affecting residents of the State of California or the Republic of the United States of America, respectively.[15]      In the result, the Application for Judicial Review is dismissed. There is no question for certification arising.
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Comment #2 posted by Deboche on February 13, 2005 at 10:44:03 PT

big step
happiness fills my body as cannabis becomes a more common crop. Oh I see in the future me with my grandchildren watching the news. The famine in some country is being solved with the help of the miracle seed of cannabis
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Comment #1 posted by FoM on February 13, 2005 at 10:07:34 PT

Mendocino County
I like the way they think!
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