Pubdate: Tue, 25 Apr 2000 Source: Press Democrat, The (CA) Copyright: 2000, The Press Democrat Contact: http://www.pressdemo.com/ Forum: http://www.pressdemo.com/opinion/talk/ Author: Ucilia Wang, Press Democrat Staff Writer SHERIFF SIGNS POT PETITION UKIAH -- Mendocino County Sheriff Tony Craver said Monday he sees no conflict between signing a petition to legalize the personal use of marijuana and upholding laws prohibiting the use. The petition signed by the sheriff, which has enough signatures to qualify as an initiative on the November ballot, would legalize limited personal cultivation and use of marijuana in Mendocino County. Craver said he signed the petition, which is up for consideration by the county Board of Supervisors today, to help create an opportunity for the public to voice their opinion on the issue. But he said he intends to continue enforcing state laws on marijuana even if the initiative passes. "I certainly don't endorse the use of marijuana," Craver said. "I am endorsing the right of the people to be heard." Supervisors could either adopt the initiative as a county ordinance or put it to a public vote. Some supervisors said they prefer to let the public decide. The Green Party-sponsored initiative is the first in the county that aims at making recreational use of marijuana legal. The initiative has garnered more than twice the number of signatures required to place it on the ballot, not surprising in a county that has one of the few remaining medical marijuana clubs in the state. Craver said despite decades of efforts by law enforcement agencies to suppress marijuana growth and use, the number of marijuana users and plants seized has continued to increase each year. The initiative would offer a chance to gauge what the public thinks about marijuana use and whether laws should be changed, Craver said. "I endorse the people's ability to express their desires, even if it's an exercise in futility," said Craver. "It will send a message to people (policy makers) in Sacramento and Washington." Craver said he doesn't use marijuana, but he refused to divulge how he will vote if the initiative is on the November ballot. Under the initiative, the district attorney and the sheriff would not be able to arrest and prosecute people who grow "25 or fewer adult flowering female marijuana plants or the equivalent in dried marijuana." It would also direct the county to lobby the state and federal governments to legalize the personal use of marijuana. Dan Hamburg, a spokesman for the Green Party, said the initiative is about opening up access. "It's analogous to people brewing a little beer in their basements or growing grapes for wine," Hamburg said. He added that there is no difference between unwinding with a double martini and relaxing with a puff of marijuana. The sale and commercial cultivation of marijuana would still be illegal under the initiative. County Counsel Peter Klein, in a written opinion, said because state laws supersede local ordinances, the initiative isn't likely to be held up in court if it passes. District Attorney Norman Vroman said Monday he agrees with Klein's opinion. - --- MAP posted-by: Jo-D