Former sheriff stands by pot policies

In the face of a public backlash to soaring marijuana cultivation, former Mendocino County Sheriff Tony Craver is defending enforcement policies during his seven-year tenure.

Craver, who has been retired since December 2006 and is living in Idaho, acknowledged that the county's pot production is "clearly out of hand."

But he said it's local voters and not lax law enforcement that's to blame.

In 2000, Mendocino County voters by 58-32 percent passed Measure G, a landmark ballot proposition that was the first in the United States to decriminalize growing of up to 25 marijuana plants for personal use. The outcome put political pressure on local officials to ease marijuana enforcement, solidifying the county's national reputation as a haven for pot growers.

"Well, the voters spoke and they got what they got," Craver said in a telephone interview.

In the upcoming June primary election, the issue will be back before county voters. They'll decide whether to repeal Measure G and direct law enforcement to follow more restrictive state guidelines that limit marijuana growing to medicinal purposes. The state, like the federal government, prohibits marijuana cultivation for personal use.

Craver said he's always opposed marijuana use. But because he's no longer a county resident, Craver said it would presumptuous to take a public stance on the fate of Measure G.

Nonetheless, Craver's pot policies while sheriff and his role in the first Measure G election are figuring prominently as the debate unfolds.

Craver acknowledged that he signed a petition to place Measure G on the ballot, a move widely touted then by marijuana advocates.

He said he later campaigned "vigorously against it."

Despite law enforcement opposition, Craver said voters chose to buy into "the hype that they heard from advocates of the measure."

"They voted for it because what they heard coming from the opposition sounded like something out of 'Reefer Madness,' " he said, referring to a 1936 film that exaggerated the risks of marijuana.

After Measure G passed, Craver and the late District Attorney Norm Vroman modeled their medical marijuana policies on it as well. They were widely lauded by medical marijuana advocates for their decision to implement the first county medical marijuana identity card program in the state for users and growers.

Craver later became honorary chairman of an activist-organized Mendocino Medical Marijuana Advisory Board. He remains so even though he now lives out of state.

Craver said he will continue to "allow my name to stand on the board and act as a consultant" despite the growing controversy over marijuana cultivation since Measure G's passage.

Pebbles Trippet, chairwoman of the advisory panel, did not return phone calls over a week requesting comment.

Craver said he has no problem furthering the board's stated goals of seeking "middle ground, win-win solutions to a serious and growing problem."

Craver said he's been assured by board members that his name "will not be used to influence the electorate either way on this issue."

Sheriff Tom Allman, Craver's successor, said he doesn't intend to take a position in the current Measure G debate.

"That's for the voters to decide," Allman said.

You can reach Staff Writer Mike Geniella at 462-6470 or mgeniella@pressdemocrat.com.