MENDOCINO DA ANNOUNCES INCREASE OF ALLOWABLE MARIJUANA PLANTS

UKIAH, Calif. (AP) - Medical marijuana users in Mendocino County will now be
allowed to grow twice as many pot plants, District Attorney Norm Vroman said
Thursday.

Users were previously allowed 12 immature plants, including six that were
flowering. But Vroman said he's learned from patients that's insufficient to
meet their needs. The change goes into effect immediately.

People will now be allowed 25 plants, flowering or immature, outdoor or
indoor.

Despite the increase, patients must limit themselves to two pounds of
processed pot per year. If the plants yield more than the limit, patients
could find themselves on the wrong side of the law.

Marvin Lehrman, director of the Ukiah Cannabis Club, said he's pleased with
the increase.

''I am of course against all limits, but I do think it's a good amount,'' he
said.

The increase isn't dramatic when compared to neighboring Sonoma County where
users can grow as many as 99 plants, Vroman said.