Thursday, October 23, 2014

Great Quote by Ryan Sundberg concerning Cannabis Summit.

Great story in Times Standard this morning. But a simple statement by Humboldt County 5th District Supervisor Ryan Sundberg explaining Humboldt County Cannabis Voice-Humboldt type cannabis farmers, "They are saying, 'We want to be regulated, we want to be taxed, help me help you figure out how to make that happen!"

It is not that simple, but it was a huge step forward as yesterday I witnessed 35 stakeholders work together to find consensus on many of the main land use issues. I actually finished a draft of the Ordinance last night and sent it off to our legal "Draft Team" to massage and move forward. I am excited to be a part of the process to help growers who want to do clean growing practices. I am not supportive of trespass grows or grows using illegal pesticides or that divert water illegally. I feel we are headed in the right direction.

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

This is very good and positive news, thank you.

Anonymous said...

Glad to see the progress. In my view, this will only work if the County has clear, easy to understand rules on what is allowed by the County, and takes a strong stand with State and Federal officials that growers who adhere to the County standards must be left alone.

As in: These are our rules, and if you refuse to refrain from eradicating crops and arresting growers who are compliant with our rules then we (the County) will not cooperate with you on ANY of your marijuana enforcement activities.

We obviously can't control what the Feds do, and we have limited influence over what the State does, but as a practical matter the HCSO provides most of the manpower for pot raids in Humboldt, so if the Feds and/or State won't play ball with us, the County must use the only leverage it has, which is non-cooperation.

Anonymous said...

It is not "We want to be taxed", it is more of the thinking that, a tax could be mutually beneficial to us all. Depending upon what those tax dollars are to be used for.

Anonymous said...

Richard Marks " full disclosure, I am a paid lobbyist for Weed Inc."
Jon Yalcinkaya " thank you Richard for being up front"

-lj

samoasoftball said...

Jon: I am not a "Weed Lobbyist." I am an consultant/organizer for California Cannabis Voice Humboldt. We are a chapter of a statewide Political Action Committee. Yes, I am paid. I am a believer in the cause and will be rewarded by being part of the solution to environmental issues and the criminal element. And Jon, I am pretty successful at what I do. Please give me that.

Julie Timmons said...

Richard, thanks for devoting your time to this, paid or un-. It's badly needed.

Anonymous said...

Richard. I will give you that you are very good at putting your finger up and figuring out what and/or whom to support.

GPU? I believe this but the people want that so just go with it. Weed? It's where the money is, it's going to happen, just go with it.

-Liberal Jon

Anonymous said...

Got to agree with Liberal Jon on both comments. Richard, all you are successful is taking all the credit for "success".

samoasoftball said...

My friends know I own up to my mistakes, failures and shortfalls, which are many. But I am a grinder and will do what I can for the right cause or friend.

Liberal Jon said...

Richard - I've told you before I deeply respect anyone putting friends and family first - I myself believe in that ethic.

Thing is, I also think it's important to be able to, when possible, separate politics and personal. I don't think you have and I think the result was to dangerously confuse local politics ever since you lost a Quixotic campaign against Bonnie Neeley.

Since then I think you often rationalize your disdain for those that didn't support you with friendship - doing what you can to support conservative candidates (who may or may not have added a D to their name). I might add that those conservative candidates have conservative policies and agendas for our county - something that seems to elude you.