ILLEGAL GROWERS WON'T BE IGNORED

Over the past 8 months, I have received an increasing number of
anonymous letters and e-mails regarding commercial marijuana growers
and the abusive attitudes they exhibit to their neighbors. These
"in-your face" growers bully their way into usually quiet
neighborhoods -- urban and rural. There are 4th and 5th generation
Mendocino County residents who fear for their property and lives and
are planning to move.

The law abiding residents of our county have a right to be free from
this kind of abuse. A recent letter to the editor (Feb. 5 Mendocino
County Observer) is a chilling but vivid example of what is
happening. The fact that we have growers with no pride of ownership
in our County is a personal concern of mine and apparently to the
letter writers as well. I am very appreciative of the citizens who
remind us how illegal growing negatively affects our County:

Effects such as:

Environmental damage to hillsides, trees and watersheds;

Theft of water or waste of water;

Illegal use of pesticides and herbicides;

The killing and maiming of wildlife;

The false economy produced by absentee growers.

The anonymous letters I receive each week beg for a more efficient way
to enforce existing laws and arrest abusive growers. Few if any
letters describe legitimate medical marijuana grows.

This year I have focused the resources of my office on two types of
illegal growers: first-time growers who believe they can legally grow
marijuana here for any reason; and, the transient growers who live in
our county from April until October then leave. I have one message for
these people who thumb their noses at our laws and our citizens: we
will find you, we will arrest you, we will eradicate your plants and
seize your assets, and we will seek your prosecution to the fullest
extent of the law.

Our nation, our state and our county are in the midst of a financial
crisis. Law enforcement is not immune. Our resources are stretched
thin, and it may seem that now is a good time to exploit these
perceived weaknesses. Illegal growers will find out soon that our
criminal justice system is alive and well. Over 240 commercials
growers were arrested in 2008, and over 364,000 plants were eradicated.

Legitimate Medical Marijuana grows were left alone. Our deputies
entered 154 medical gardens last year and left without eradicating a
single plant because these patients were growing within the boundaries
of the law and produced the necessary documentation upon request.
There is progress in accepting legitimate medical marijuana. I
understand the concern that legitimate patients have and I truly
appreciate the fact that legitimate growers often report the abuse of
our medical marijuana laws.

As your elected Sheriff, I will continue to respect the rights of
legitimate medical marijuana patients. But, please do not expect the
Mendocino County Sheriff's Office to ignore possible commercial
operations. Evidence showing a commercial operation will lead to
arrests and the forfeiture of assets. These investigations will happen
by design and not by accident.

I appreciate the fact that a truly respectful, legitimate medical
marijuana grower will not be involved in environmental and economic
damage. The most recent letter, from the "Wildlife of the Burns Creek
Watershed," is an eye-opening reminder of the environmental damage
that results from many, if not all, commercial growing operations.

Mendocino County's role in framing the medical marijuana debate has
made it unique among counties. Some see us as leaders; others make us
the brunt of jokes. I prefer to see us as concerned individuals trying
to chart a course through a framework of confusing and sometimes
conflicting laws. As your elected Sheriff, I am committed to work with
all citizens who have the desire improve the quality of life in our
County. That includes balancing the legitimate rights of medical
marijuana patients with the need to enforce prohibitions against
illegal marijuana cultivation, transportation, distribution and sales.

By working together, we will make our county a better place.