ADVOCACY GROUPS BACK EFFORTS TO DEFEAT POT MEASURE

UKIAH - Outside groups favoring legalization of marijuana are
bankrolling opposition to a local ballot measure aimed at repealing
Mendocino County's liberalized pot guidelines.

The San Francisco office of the National Reform of Marijuana Laws
(NORML) has put up $1,000, and is likely to contribute more,
according to representatives. In addition, a Santa Rosa-based
marijuana advocacy group called Organic Cannabis Foundation has
contributed $500 toward local efforts to defeat Measure B on the June
primary ballot.

Despite the outside contributions, local supporters of the repeal
drive are out spending opponents by a nearly 5-1 margin. So far, Yes
on Measure B has collected nearly $11,000 from local donors.

Measure B would repeal current guidelines allowing individuals to
grow up to 25 marijuana plants per person, and impose more
restrictive state standards of six plants per person.

The Mendocino marijuana fight is overshadowing other key local races
in the June primary, including three races for seats on the county
Board of Supervisors.

Just as Mendocino's 2000 vote to locally legalize pot for personal
use was a national first, marijuana advocates fear its repeal will
once again put the county in the spotlight but for the wrong reasons.

Dale Geiringer, NORML's executive director, said Measure B supporters
are targeting the wrong people with their anger over large-scale
commercial marijuana growing operations.

"Legitimate medical marijuana growers will be turned into criminals
instead of really big operators," said Geiringer.