MIMS: POT BUSTS ON PUBLIC LAND ARE WORKING

A recent crackdown on marijuana in the Sierra Nevada is slowing the
spread of illegal drug cultivation on public lands, Fresno County
Sheriff Margaret Mims reported to the Board of Supervisors today.

The Sheriff's Office has partnered with state and federal law
enforcement agencies during the past four years to identify marijuana
plots, clear the plants and clean up once-pristine areas in national
parks, forest service lands and farmland.

Two major stings in the past two years have netted about a half
million plants and led to dozens of arrests and prosecutions in
Fresno County, according to the Sheriff's Office.

"What we're doing is working," Mims said. "To the folks that want to
do it again, we're going to be right back up there."

The marijuana plots can cause environmental damage, as water is
diverted to raise the plants and natural landscapes are ruined, and
threaten public safety. Growers often are armed, sheriff's officials said.

Mims said many growers are operating under "the guise" of growing
medical marijuana, which is legal under certain conditions in California.

Supervisors are working to create a medical marijuana ordinance that
is expected to outline what what is acceptable in Fresno County.