Mendocino sheriff drawn into anti-pot referendum

UKIAH

Mendocino County Sheriff Tom Allman is trying — and failing — to stay out of the debate on a public referendum in the June primary over the county’s flourishing marijuana industry.

Allman’s mantra ever since a citizens’ movement to repeal Measure G, the first local proposition of its kind in the U.S. to legitimize personal marijuana use when passed in 2000, has been his job is to enforce, not set, policies.

But a pro-medical marijuana group’s decision to include Allman’s name in its ballot argument against repeal has forced the sheriff to issue a statement, though a noncommittal one.

“I am not taking any position. That’s not my job,” said Allman.

At issue is a quote in a ballot argument against Measure B, the proposed repeal measure. Allman is quoted as saying that for the county to adopt more restrictive state standards on medical marijuana use “would be burden on law enforcement.”

Allman is also quoted as saying his deputies “will not be able to focus any other public safety issue."

“We’ve already stepped up our enforcement against major marijuana growers. It’s already a burden,” said Allman.