Cutting Through the Haze:

LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT COMMENT ON POT LEGALIZATION ISSUES

The 2005 National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws
conference begins today in San Francisco and, this being Humboldt
County, issues discussed in presentations and focus groups there will
be of great interest to many people, on both sides of the issue, here.

Over the next three days, people in the forefront of advocating for
the legalization and decriminalization of marijuana will offer their
views and strategies on the topic. Those highlights and core points
will be reported in a series of Times-Standard stories.

But there are definitely many sides to the issue.

Below, Humboldt County law enforcement officials offer their thoughts
on the issue of legalizing marijuana.

Paul Gallegos, Humboldt County district attorney

"I think it should be decriminalized," Gallegos said. "The
criminalization of marijuana is leading to the deaths of too many
people over a drug that, in and of itself, is not dangerous. We must
re-evaluate our position on this. There are too many other more
serious issues facing our communities than marijuana and our continued
efforts in this regard divert us from the important tasks at hand."

Gallegos said the marijuana cases aren't an "overwhelming burden," but
office time and resources could be better spent on other issues.

"There are better ways to regulate it than making it illegal,"
Gallegos said. "Ultimately, that's for the Legislature to decide."

Gallegos said the fact that marijuana goes for $4,000 to $5,000 a
pound is a big incentive for someone to rob, hurt or kill others.

"It's a very profitable substance because it's illegal," Gallegos
said. "If it became legal, I certainly think it would reduce some crime."

He referred to several recent Humboldt County homicide cases where
marijuana was involved.

"I know many disagree with me on this issue," Gallegos said. "I know
that many will claim that this position is a result of permissiveness.
It is not. I know the costs of marijuana use. I have seen it and I see
it every day. My position is based on clear understanding that we will
protect our youth and our citizens better by decriminalizing it and
regulating than we do by outlawing it."

Sgt. Wayne Hanson, head of the Humboldt County Sheriff's Department's
Drug Enforcement Unit

His department is paid and required to enforce the laws made in
Sacramento, Hanson said.

"And since it's illegal, it's illegal," he said of marijuana. "If it
became legal, we'd cease."

Hanson did offer some of his own personal views on the prohibition of
marijuana.

"Society can't handle the alcoholism, with domestic violence and
drunken driving," Hanson said. "So if you legalize another drug..."

Hanson also mentioned the current economic impact marijuana
cultivation has on the entire county, with the sales of real estate,
vehicles and supplies.

"If you legalize marijuana, who knows what would happen to the economy
of the county," Hanson said. "But that's not a reason to change any
laws."

Randy Mendosa, Arcata police chief

Mendosa prefers to stay out of the politics of the
issue.

"Both of their arguments have valid points," Mendosa said. "But my job
is to enforce the laws. I leave the politics up to the legislative
branch of government."

Mendosa said that marijuana is a "significant" part of cases his
department deals with, especially in the downtown area and the parks.

"It generates a lot of citizen complaints," Mendosa
said.

Articles covering the NORML conference will appear in the
Times-Standard over the next three days.