UKIAHAN SEEKS TO OVERTURN MEASURE G

Local television producer Jimmy Rickel has taken a bold step to
answer former Congressman Dan Hamburg's challenge to put Measure G up
to a vote.

Measure G is the county voter initiative that declared prosecuting
the cultivation of marijuana would be the lowest priority for county
law enforcement, and in no case would local law enforcement arrest
and no district attorney would prosecute anybody for growing 25 or
fewer marijuana plants.

It was approved by 58 percent of the voters in November 2000.

Rickel has authored and has secured permission to circulate an
initiative petition called Sensible Medical Marijuana (SSM).

According to him, SSM does four things:

1. It overturns Measure G.

2. It sets the plants limits for growing medical marijuana at Senate
Bill 420 levels, namely, six mature and 12 immature medical marijuana plants.

3. It provides that "caregrivers", i.e., those who are growing
medical marijuana, may not grow for more than four "patient cards"
per year, per parcel.

4. It directs county government to figure out how to make certain
doctors' recommendations for medical marijuana are for serious
medical conditions only.

Rickel said the SSM initiative was approved for circulation on Nov.
6, 2007. He has until early April to gather the necessary number of
signatures set by county Clerk-Recorder Marsha Wharff at 3,015.

Rickel said that he has about a dozen people helping him gather
signatures throughout the county, and could use more help.

People wishing to aid Rickel in his effort to put the SSM initiative
on the ballot may call him at 485-7915, or they can email him at
sensiblemedicalmarijuana@yahoo.com.

Rickel said he submitted his ballot initiative because that the
efforts of the board of supervisors was going to be ineffective. "I
knew the board of supervisors was not going to have any teeth in any
ordinance they would try to adopt," Rickel said. He added he is aware
that his position may not be popular in some circles.

"I'm anticipating crap on this from left, right and center," he said.
All I can say is, 'Bring it on.'"