Legalization backlash

<p>Not everyone in Mendocino County accepts pot production as a way of life.</p><p>Rampant marijuana cultivation has led to a backlash against marijuana growing in the county.</p><p>Tired of keeping their windows shut to keep out the stench of ripening marijuana and afraid of related crime such as home invasion robberies, area residents lashed out and demanded stricter enforcement.</p><p>Marijuana prosecutions began rising in mid-2007, a few months after newly elected Sheriff Tom Allman and District Attorney Meredith Lintott were sworn into office. The new law enforcement leaders said the increase in prosecution was driven by complaints from residents, not their policies on marijuana.</p><p>The backlash against marijuana continued to grow and in early 2008 voters approved a ballot initiative repealing Measure G, Mendocino County’s landmark 2000 ballot initiative decriminalizing the growing up to 25 marijuana plants for personal use.</p><p>Measure G and a lenient stance by the sheriff and former district attorney were seen as enhancing Mendocino County’s reputation as a haven for pot growing.</p><p>Mendocino County law authorities now follow state guidelines, allowing just six mature plants or 12 immature plants per individual.</p><p>County and city government officials also bowed to demands for stricter controls.</p><p>Ukiah now forbids outdoor growing, which has nearly eliminated the harvest-time odors.</p><p>The county passed regulations restricting the number of plants that can be grown on a land parcel to 25, regardless of how many medical marijuana patients are being served by the garden.</p><p>Anti-pot sentiments remain strong today.</p><p>When an internal memo from Lintott recently was leaked to the public, revealing a plan to temporarily reduce marijuana cultivation prosecutions due to staffing shortages, angry residents let her know they were unhappy.</p>