The controversial and much debated issue of medicinal marijuana has long caused confusion between federal and state laws. However, Tehama County Sheriff Clay Parker's allegiance is clear, it rests with the voters of California. Currently eight states have laws that allow medicinal marijuana including: Alaska, California, Hawaii, Maine, Nevada, Oregon, Washington and Wyoming. On Nov. 5, 1996, California voters passed Proposition 215 or the Compassionate Use Act, the act that later became Section 11362.5 of the Health and Safety Code. Under the law, California residents with a recommendation from a doctor can grow and maintain enough marijuana for their personal medicinal usage free from prosecution. [continues 1024 words]
The Tehama County Sheriff's Department 2001 annual report released this week shows a minimal rise in major crimes and a phenomenal increase in marijuana eradication. The report, which covers statistics for the unincorporated areas of Tehama County, showed major crimes were up 3 percent in 2001. Major crimes, including robbery, burglary, theft, assault, rape and homicide, increased to 1,034 in 2001 from 1,002 in 2000. The county saw more rapes, burglaries and thefts in 2001, with murders remaining the same at three. Robberies and assaults declined. [continues 412 words]
