Pubdate: Wed, 20 Nov 2002
Source: Press Democrat, The (CA)
Contact:  2002 The Press Democrat
Website: http://www.pressdemo.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/348
Author: Paul Payne, The Press Democrat

SEBASTOPOL OKS POT RESOLUTION

Police Force Encouraged To Withhold Aid To DEA In Medical Marijuana Cases

November 20, 2002 By PAUL PAYNE  Stepping into a conflict over medical 
marijuana, the Sebastopol City Council on Tuesday discouraged their police 
force from cooperating with federal drug agents.

By a 3-1 vote, the council passed a resolution in support of the 1996 
ballot initiative that allowed people to grow and use marijuana with a 
doctor's recommendation.

The medical exception to state laws against growing or using marijuana 
isn't recognized by the federal government, which prohibits any use of the 
drug. Backed by a U.S. Supreme Court ruling, federal agents in recent 
months have raided many marijuana buyers clubs and pot gardens, one of them 
near Sebastopol.

In response, medical marijuana advocates asked Sebastopol and Santa Rosa 
council members to adopt resolutions urging police to withhold assistance 
from the Drug Enforcement Administration.

"What the resolution is doing is affirming our support for California law," 
said Councilman Larry Robinson, who voted yes. "There is ample 
documentation for why that is important."

Councilman Bob Anderson voted no, and Councilman Bill Roventini was absent. 
Sebastopol Police Chief Gordon Pitter said it's rare for his officers to 
work with DEA agents, adding he was comfortable with the resolution. After 
stripping out the language about noncooperation with the DEA, Santa Rosa 
council members indicated they would approve the resolution, which is 
expected to come up for a vote in two weeks.

The resolution struck a chord with Santa Rosa Councilwoman Sharon Wright, 
who told of her late husband's battle with cancer. She said "we took 
advantage of the use of marijuana" when other medications failed to ease 
his pain. "I was totally amazed at the benefits," Wright said. But 
residents of a quiet neighborhood outside Sebastopol complained bitterly 
about the resolution, telling the Sebastopol council about a neighbor who 
grew more than 3,000 marijuana plants, employing armed security guards and 
attack dogs to watch the garden. They said as more residents grow marijuana 
for medical uses, the need for assistance from federal agents increases.

"We pleaded with the county to do something and wound up calling the feds," 
said Mary Roth, a neighbor to Robert Schmidt's huge marijuana garden, which 
was raided in September. "We were so grateful they came." Staff Writer Mike 
McCoy contributed to this report.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom