Supes Give Thumbs Up to Prop. 19

Humboldt County Supervisors voted 4-0 with Jimmy Smith abstaining to support Proposition 19. Earlier this week, 3rd Dist. Supervisor Mark Lovelace recommended that the board not take a position on the initiative which legalizes marijuana. According to the Times Standard,

”Proposition 19 provides only for legalization without regulation, which is a recipe for chaos,” the document said. “Lacking concurrent action by the state to develop and implement a full regulatory framework for the commercial production, sale and distribution of marijuana, the Board of Supervisors takes no position on Proposition 19.”

However, today Lovelace joined the board in voting to recommend passage of 19.

UPDATE: Press Release from HuMMAP

Going further than a “no position” endorsement recommendation by Supervisor Mark Lovelace, the Humboldt County Board of Supervisors today voted 4-0 to endorse Proposition 19, the Regulate, Control and Tax Cannabis Act of 2010 that will be on the Nov. 2 California ballot.

Syreeta Lux, Chair of HuMMAP (Humboldt Medical Marijuana Advisory Panel) spoke at the meeting, enjoining the board to, at a minimum, support 19 with reservations. Although the proposition isn’t perfect, it’s a step forward and what Humboldt’s economy needs, she said, adding “We are ready and able to help you if you let us.”

Supervisor Bonnie Neely then spoke, charging the Board to support the measure, noting that they had a history of supporting legalization. She hearkened to an August 2007 letter the Board sent to Rep. Mike Thompson asking for legalization and taxation at a federal level.

Breaking the silence afterwards, Southern Humboldt Supervisor Clif Clendendon spoke, stating, “I’m going to just say that I agree. I support Proposition 19.” Neely moved to support the proposition and Supervisor Jill Geist, who hadn’t spoke, seconded it.

“I feel proud of our Board,” Lux said. “We made some real headway today.”

See also The Times Standard.