MOST MENDOCINO VOTERS FAVOR POT LAW REPEAL

Backlash to 2000's Measure G Decriminalizing Marijuana Cultivation

A poll of Mendocino County voters show most favor repeal of Measure
G, a landmark marijuana initiative that was the first in the nation
to decriminalize pot use.

Poll results also ranked local concerns about illicit drugs above
job, growth, immigration and environmental issues.

The findings reflect what political and community leaders view as a
"sea change" among county residents, who for 30 years seemingly
tolerated small-scale marijuana cultivation. A backlash has emerged
in the face of the county's growing national reputation as a haven
for marijuana growers, and large-scale commercial growing operations.

"There's been a huge shift," county Supervisor John Pinches said this week.

Pinches and three board colleagues voted Tuesday to put the issue of
whether Measure G should be repealed on the June 3 primary ballot, a
move advocated by a countywide citizens group. Board members were
presented with copies of the pot poll results before their vote.

San Francisco pollster Kevin Brown said Thursday that the poll's
margin of error was 3.9 percent.

"The poll has a 95 percent confidence rating," he said.

Brown works for Dresner, Wickers & Associates, an international
political consulting firm whose client list includes Republican
presidential candidate Mike Huckabee and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The Dresner firm was hired by Ukiah businessman Ross Liberty and
other organizers of a local drive to repeal the county measure.
Measure G garnered national attention in 2000 when it was
overwhelmingly passed by a 58-32 percent margin.

But Measure G since has been blamed for the county's soaring
marijuana production and crime-related issues. Critics contend
Measure G also opened the door for local liberal law enforcement
policies surrounding the proliferation of pot cultivation under the
guise of medical marijuana.

Medical marijuana advocate Pebbles Trippet said Thursday she fears
the rights of legitimate users of marijuana for medical reasons risk
being trampled in a rush to crack down on commercial dope-growing operations.

"There's a huge difference, and that's getting lost in the debate," she said.

Liberty said the poll results indicate a rising tide of public
opposition to Measure G and marijuana cultivation in the county.

Liberty said he hopes the June election will provide a margin of
victory so significant that "local politicians will know that voters
no longer feel marijuana cultivation is benign."