YouthSpeaksOut!: Youth, Substances and the Law 4/26/09

Today our topic is “Youth, Substances, and the Law.” In February 2001 the Sheriff of Mendocino County was Tony Craver. He was interviewed by Marie Pence of Laytonville High about the use of substances by youth in Mendocino County.
In November of 2000 the voters of Mendocino county had approved Measure G, which called for the decriminalization of personal use and the cultivation of marijuana by a vote of 58 to 42%. This resolution, called “The Personal Use Of Marijuana Initiative” instructed the county government to support all efforts toward the decriminalization of marijuana. It also directed law enforcement not to arrest or prosecute individuals for personal use marijuana violations, involving 25 plants or fewer. Because the initiative did not change state law, Measure G was essentially an advisory resolution. Both Sheriff Tony Craver and District Attorney Norm Vroman supported the Measure.
We are going to listen to the interview Marie did with then Sheriff Tony Craver. In the 8 years that have passed since this interview, attitudes toward marijuana cultivation have shifted in this county. Last year the voters of this county narrowly approved Measure B which repealed most of the provisions of Measure G. It is interesting to hear Tony speak about law enforcement and youth- the laws have not changed for youth. Concern about the use of substances by youth was one of the main arguments presented by those who passed last years Measure B.
After we hear the interview I’ll be opening the phone lines for your responses and insights into the topic of “Youth, Substances, and the Law.” Here is the recording from February 2001, Marie Pence interviewing then Sheriff Tony Craver.