Humboldt Supes Follow Mendocino
I usually don't think much of elected officials dealing with issues outside their purview but, with our Board of Supervisors following the Mendocino County BOS in asking Congressman Mike Thompson to support legislation to legalize marijuana, that's one case of Monkey see- Monkey do I don't mind.
Actually, I think a case could be made that legalizing marijuana is a local issue and within the issue of the BOS. Let's hope they all sign on to it.
While they're at it, maybe they could ask Thompson to co- sponsor Rep. Ron Paul's bill to legalize industrial hemp, as mentioned here yesterday. I'm gonna send a fax to his Eureka office as soon as I'm done with my morning blogging. Hope you all do the same.
Remember to refer to HR 1009 as the bill you'd like him to co- sponsor. His Eureka office contact info is: 317 3rd St., Ste. 1, Eureka, CA 95501 Phone: (707) 269-9595, Fax: (707) 269-9598. If you're really lazy, you can go here and send him a message via web form. In any case, do something.
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Speaking of industrial hemp, the San Francisco Chronicle reports this morning that a bill to legalize growing of industrial hemp in California is back. The last one passed through the legislature only to be vetoed by the Governator who supposedly feared growers might get in trouble since it was still illegal under federal law. Such B.S.
Then again, when you look at this California bill, do we really want to go with this one. Check out some of the restrictions on the growers:
The current bill would require that industrial hemp contain no more than three-tenths of 1 percent of THC. For the state, farmers would have to: attain a growers' permit; report the progress of the crop's growth; test and keep copies of the test report proving the crops' THC content; and use a GPS tracking system to monitor their crop's movement through the state.
And even with all the restrictions, it only allows for a five year pilot program in four counties and Humboldt isn't one of them.
I appreciate the effort but do we really want to go there?
This is one reason why we need to get Ron Paul's industrial hemp bill moving: So the state legislature won't be running in fear of the feds and thus trying to cover everyone's ass.
Then again, when you look at this California bill, do we really want to go with this one. Check out some of the restrictions on the growers:
The current bill would require that industrial hemp contain no more than three-tenths of 1 percent of THC. For the state, farmers would have to: attain a growers' permit; report the progress of the crop's growth; test and keep copies of the test report proving the crops' THC content; and use a GPS tracking system to monitor their crop's movement through the state.
And even with all the restrictions, it only allows for a five year pilot program in four counties and Humboldt isn't one of them.
I appreciate the effort but do we really want to go there?
This is one reason why we need to get Ron Paul's industrial hemp bill moving: So the state legislature won't be running in fear of the feds and thus trying to cover everyone's ass.
posted by Fred Mangels @ 8:04 AM
8 comments
8 Comments:
1. Legalize pot.
2. Pot growers multiply across the state.
3. The price of pot plummets.
4. Pot growers have less cash to spread around Humboldt County.
5. The only restaurants left standing five years from now are McDonald's and Denny's.
I believe Supervisor Rodoni refutes the claim that the price would drop by saying that Humboldt County growers could specialize in organic boutique marijuana. Also, funding could be raised by requiring a yearly paid permit or license to grow the stuff.
By legalizing only industrial hemp, it may be difficult to tell the difference between industrial and medicinal. During one of my cross-county treks on highway 80, we spent the night at Mormon Island State Park in Nebraska. Alcohol was prohibited in the campground, but there were endless acres of wild hemp in full bloom with some of the plants 12-15 feet high. We took pictures.
It is an interesting debate.
Certainly, the emergence of huge grows on public land is a big concern.
I haven't heard Rodoni directly address whether the price would drop (which it obviously would) but he did acknowledge there would be an affect on the local economy. He said on the Humboldt Review a few weeks ago that "equilibrium" would happen in one form or another.
And while there would probably be some who would find a place in the market for their special, Humboldt brand of marijuana, there wouldn't be many.
Even if the state essentially legalized it,zoning regulations could be set in place to hinder its production.
You guys sound stoned.
Maybe I heard Rodoni on the local news talking about it or read it on your blog, Heraldo. I might I misundertood what he meant.
I would think that if pot was legal to grow pot smokers would grow their own in their own backyards. It's easy and it's fun.
Hucktunes has it exactly right.
Why is that so hard for people to get?
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