SUPERVISORS SEEK REPORT ON MARIJUANA VALUE

During presentation of the 2005-2006 Mendocino County Crop Report to
the Board of Supervisors Tuesday, much of the discussion revolved
around a crop that isn't in the report.

Third District Supervisor John Pinches asked Agricultural Commissioner
Dave Bengston why marijuana was not listed among the crops in the
2005-2006 crop report.

Pinches said a consultant recently told the board that illegal
marijuana grows represent two-thirds of the money coming into
Mendocino County.

"I think the public has the right to know," Pinches
said.

Bengston said the county Agriculture Department listed marijuana among
Mendocino County's crops in the 1978-1979 crop report, but did not
record it again because the board passed a resolution against
marijuana's inclusion as a crop.

Bengston said the board passed that resolution after it received a
letter from the state agriculture department that said listing
marijuana in the crop report was inappropriate.

"That's just an ostrich with its head in the sand," said 2nd District
Supervisor Jim Wattenburger, in reference to the 1980 board's actions.

Wattenburger asked Bengston if it would be possible for him to compile
a report on marijuana cultivation in Mendocino County but not publish
it as part of the annual crop report.

"I truly believe that you are the best person to collect this
information," he said.

Bengston said when he collected the information in 1979, most of it
came from law enforcement estimates as well as calls he received from
some growers in the county.

Pinches said knowing how much marijuana is grown in Mendocino County
would help county residents and state legislators understand the size
of the problem.

He said he was also interested in finding out how much water illegal
marijuana gardens are using every year.

County Counsel Jeanine Nadel said the board could bring a motion to
overturn the one passed in 1980. Pinches said he would be willing to
propose such a motion, and Wattenburger said he would second it.

So far this year, the County of Mendocino Marijuana Eradication Team
has seized 243,505 illegal marijuana plants in Mendocino County, more
than 50,000 more than in the entirety of 2006.