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Cutting through the haze: Local law enforcement comment on pot legalization issues
Chris Durant | The Times-Standard | 03/31/2005

The 2005 National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws conference begins today in San Francisco and, this being Humboldt County, issues discussed in presentations and focus groups there will be of great interest to many people, on both sides of the issue, here.

Over the next three days, people in the forefront of advocating for the legalization and decriminalization of marijuana will offer their views and strategies on the topic. Those highlights and core points will be reported in a series of Times-Standard stories.

But there are definitely many sides to the issue.

Below, Humboldt County law enforcement officials offer their thoughts on the issue of legalizing marijuana.

Paul Gallegos, Humboldt County district attorney

"I think it should be decriminalized," Gallegos said. "The criminalization of marijuana is leading to the deaths of too many people over a drug that, in and of itself, is not dangerous. We must re-evaluate our position on this. There are too many other more serious issues facing our communities than marijuana and our continued efforts in this regard divert us from the important tasks at hand."

Gallegos said the marijuana cases aren't an "overwhelming burden," but office time and resources could be better spent on other issues.

"There are better ways to regulate it than making it illegal," Gallegos said. "Ultimately, that's for the Legislature to decide."

Gallegos said the fact that marijuana goes for $4,000 to $5,000 a pound is a big incentive for someone to rob, hurt or kill others.

"It's a very profitable substance because it's illegal," Gallegos said. "If it became legal, I certainly think it would reduce some crime."

He referred to several recent Humboldt County homicide cases where marijuana was involved.

"I know many disagree with me on this issue," Gallegos said. "I know that many will claim that this position is a result of permissiveness. It is not. I know the costs of marijuana use. I have seen it and I see it every day. My position is based on clear understanding that we will protect our youth and our citizens better by decriminalizing it and regulating than we do by outlawing it."

Sgt. Wayne Hanson, head of the Humboldt County Sheriff's Department's Drug Enforcement Unit

His department is paid and required to enforce the laws made in Sacramento, Hanson said.

"And since it's illegal, it's illegal," he said of marijuana. "If it became legal, we'd cease."

Hanson did offer some of his own personal views on the prohibition of marijuana.

"Society can't handle the alcoholism, with domestic violence and drunken driving," Hanson said. "So if you legalize another drug..."

Hanson also mentioned the current economic impact marijuana cultivation has on the entire county, with the sales of real estate, vehicles and supplies.

"If you legalize marijuana, who knows what would happen to the economy of the county," Hanson said. "But that's not a reason to change any laws."

Randy Mendosa, Arcata police chief

Mendosa prefers to stay out of the politics of the issue.

"Both of their arguments have valid points," Mendosa said. "But my job is to enforce the laws. I leave the politics up to the legislative branch of government."

Mendosa said that marijuana is a "significant" part of cases his department deals with, especially in the downtown area and the parks.

"It generates a lot of citizen complaints," Mendosa said.

Articles covering the NORML conference will appear in the Times-Standard over the next three days.

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Phyxius

That sums it up pretty well. The only danger marijuana has is that it's illegal. Ugh.

I *so* don't understand this statement. He's implying that marijuana causes domestic violence or some other parallel? PLEASE. This is the reefer madness mindset.

Again, only because it's illegal, and because people have the wrong facts on its effects. Put a bar in one neighborhood, and a pot cafe in another and you tell me which one should be illegal.

frolic

The marijuana smokers of Humboldt County have stood behind Paul Gallegos who has faced a move to remove him from the DA office by Pacific Lumber Co (PALCO). He is enforcing the laws that regulate the cutting of old growth and protecting pristine redwood forests - the Headwaters. PALCO and some OldSchool pot growers in Humboldt County combined efforts to oust Mr. Gallegos. The pot growers had a little deal with the old DA and the Sheriffs Dept.

Those who were in the Growing commission could pay a little protection fee to the authorities and their farms would not be coptered by state or federal task forces. There was little more done than not to talk about local knowledge of an old industry. While many of these local farmers have bought and paid for their farms, houses, boats, islands . . . The local law enforcement focused on the homeless and summer campers. The cases involving protection fees are still awaiting the hand of justice (how long can you hold your breath).

Paul Gallegos stated in his campaign that he would not prosecute medical marijuana nor assist federal law enforcement in arresting those with 215 perscriptions or their caregivers. He has further refused to prosecute those arrested for possession of less than an ounce of pot. Where posession occurs on the street among homeless neo hippies and activists it is used by law enforcement to pad thier arrests repoets and to chase the unwanted out of the county, as are other hobophobic inspired laws.

Gallegos is a bit of fresh air.