Man arrested for pot, again

Less than two months before his trial for cultivation of marijuana for sale, a Ukiah man was arrested again Monday with almost 300 marijuana plants growing in his house and more than 30 pounds of processed marijuana.

Memo Parker, 37, has been a thorn in the side of his neighbors and a reason cited by Ukiah officials when they implemented pot ordinances limiting to 12 the amount of medical marijuana that can be grown per parcel.

“It’s a good example of why we have the ordinances,” said Ukiah Police Chief Chris Dewey.

Neighbors for years have complained about the overwhelming stench of marijuana gardens and voiced concern about violence after a would-be marijuana thief shot Parker in the hand in 2004.

Parker was arrested on pot cultivation and sales charges in 2006, but his 2007 trial ended in an 11-1 hung jury.

The District Attorney’s Office refiled the charges and he’s scheduled for a new jury trial in April.

The warrant served on Parker’s home Monday stemmed from neighbor complaints and from his electrical usage, which was about six times what would be normal for his home, said Mendocino Major Crimes Task Force Commander Bob Nishiyama.

Parker was booked Monday on suspicion of marijuana cultivation, cultivation for sale and committing a new offense while on bail.

He’s being held on $100,000 bail. Before he makes bail, he must prove the money does not come from illegal endeavors, Nishiyama said.