Mendo: Narrow Victory of Measure B Emboldens Pro-MJ Opponents

California NORML Release, Jun 4th, 2008
Mendocino County's anti-pot Measure B scored a narrow 52-48%
victory, disappointing proponents who had expected a blowout. Early
polls had shown the measure leading by nearly 2-1, but the No on
Measure B campaign http://nomeasureb.org gained ground in the closing
days of the campaign with a vigorous media, mail and get-out-the-vote
campaign, plus a favorable state appellate court ruling that appeared
to invalidate one of the key provisions in Measure B.
Measure B, which was propelled by public dissatisfaction with
abuses by commercial marijuana growers, repeals the county's
Personal Use of Marijuana Initiative of 2000, Measure G, which
allowed cultivation of up to 25 plants for personal use, and tries to
establish a new limit of 6 plants and 8 ounces for medical marijuana
patients. However, opponents argue that the latter provision
directly conflicts with a recent Cal. Court of Appeals decision,
People v Kelly, which declared such a limit unconstitutional.
"The passage of Measure B settles nothing," said Dale Gieringer of
California NORML, one of the sponsors of the No on B campaign.
"It's major enforcement provision is invalid, and it contains nothing
that addresses the real problems of large-scale criminal cultivation.
The county needs to go back to the drawing board." Opponents have
already launched a court challenge to Measure B and are considering
new proposals to reassert key principles of Measure G.
Measure G, which passed in the 2000 November election, ran far
stronger than Measure B, gathering 19,293 votes, or 58.5% of the
vote. In contrast, Measure B had just 8.493 votes with 100% of
precincts reporting, or 52.15% of the vote.. Opponents of Measure
B faced a major uphill battle as the Board of Supervisors had
deliberately scheduled the vote for a low-turnout, primary election,
which traditionally attracts older, more conservative voters.
Marijuana advocates believe they have a good chance of winning
future battles in a wider general election.
- Dale Gieringer, Cal NORML

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Voters say yes' on B: Marijuana reform measure approved

By BEN BROWN/The Daily Journal (Ukiah, CA)
Article Last Updated: 06/04/2008 12:56:13 AM PDT


http://www.ukiahdailyjournal.com/ci_9474034?source=rss