Humboldt County Cannabis Abatement Program “Unconstitutional,” Says the Institute for Justice Which Today Filed a Federal Class Action Lawsuit

Video posted this morning by the Institute for Justice which features three local abatement cases previously covered by Redheaded Blackbelt.

This morning, The Institute for Justice (IJ) in partnership with abated local landowners (featured earlier in articles on Redheaded Blackbelt) filed a class-action lawsuit against Humboldt County. The nationally acclaimed, non profit, human rights law firm filed the suit on behalf of all 1219 Humboldt County cannabis abatement recipients, which they claim have been the victim of “The County’s code enforcement policy [that] is designed to squeeze every dollar it can from legalized marijuana, often at the expense of innocent people.”

The suit was served to the following:

COUNTY OF HUMBOLDT, CALIFORNIA; HUMBOLDT COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS; HUMBOLDT COUNTY PLANNING AND BUILDING DEPARTMENT; VIRGINIA BASS, MIKE WILSON, REX BOHN, MICHELLE BUSHNELL, and STEVE MADRONE, in their official capacity as Supervisors of Humboldt County; and JOHN H. FORD in his official capacity as Planning and Building Director.

The Institute for Justice is holding a live press conference today via Zoom at 11 a.m. (click here) in which they will further explain their suit. They are encouraging all abatement victims and concerned community members to join them.

The plaintiffs call the satellite cannabis abatement program “a coercive land grab,” “a maximum pressure campaign,” and “an extortive death blow” to property owners.  Innocent landowners, nuns growing vegetables, personal medical cultivators, low income housing developers, lavender farmers, fire departments and volunteers have all been rolled up in what the plaintiffs term a “regulation-for-profit racket.”

(Notices distributed until Jan 2020, chart created by UC Berkeley Cannabis Research Center)

Notices distributed by district according to the last Code Enforcement Annual Report. [Image created by Nichole Norris]  Notices distributed until Jan 2020. [Chart created by UC Berkeley Cannabis Research Center]

The Humboldt Environmental Harm Reduction (HEIR) program, better known as the satellite cannabis abatement program, is overseen by the Planning and Building Department’s Code Enforcement Unit (CEU) which now dominates the enforcement of cannabis laws, and has extracted millions in fines and penalties primarily from rural residents in Southern Humboldt’s District Two (70%), Northern Humboldt’s District Five (17%), and Mid-West’s District One (10%). 

The lawsuit reads in part, 

The County’s conduct toward the Plaintiffs is part of a broader policy and practice, pursuant to which the County cites landowners for enhanced cannabis-related code violations without regard to probable cause, fails to schedule administrative hearings at a meaningful time and in a meaningful manner, imposes unconstitutional conditions on permits for those properties, imposes unconstitutionally excessive fines and fees, and denies accused landowners the right to a jury of their peers to decide factual questions that determine whether the Plaintiffs owe hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of dollars in fines. 

Only months after legalization in June 2017, the cannabis abatement code changes were made by County staff, okayed by County Counsel, and voted on by the Board of Supervisors at the time; Mike Wilson, Estelle Fennel, Rex Bohn, Virginia Bass, and Ryan Sunberg. These code changes that took effect in 2018, allowed for $6,000-10,000 in daily fines, per violation for unpermitted commercial cannabis cultivation and affiliated charges, such as structures without permits, grading of more than fifty cubic yards, or developments within streamside management areas, with smaller penalties for unapproved septic systems, junk cars, living in RVs, and more.

The lawsuit describes the program’s inconsistency, stating, “By alleging that code violations relate to illegal cannabis cultivation, the County exponentially increases the fines for those violations, regardless of whether the violation poses any harm to the community.”

The program itself has changed the community as well. Pre-Proposition 64 there was an estimated 15,000 black market cannabis farms, also known as the traditional market. Since cannabis became legal, the number of traditional market farms has dwindled to 3,000-5,000 according to Humboldt County Sheriff Billy Honsal when he spoke to us in an interview earlier this year. In addition, Sheriff Honsal explained that of the approximately 1,000 permitted farms, only 75% were operating this year. That means an estimated 32% of the original farms are left since legalization. However many of our permitted farms are new, so that means less than 32% of legacy operations remain today. 

Jared McClain

Jared McClain [Screenshot from video]

“We filed this class action to put an end to Humboldt’s abusive code-enforcement regime.  The County issues life-ruining fines to innocent people without proof or process,” says Jared McClain, lawyer at IJ heading the suit. 

Attorneys Joshua House, Jared McClain, Rob Johnson, of IJ, are filing the federal class action lawsuit on behalf of all cannabis abatement victims, in addition to Thomas V. Loran III, and Derek M. Mayor of Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pitmann in San Francisco and Sacramento.  The attorneys claim that what Humboldt County has been doing to property owners is unconstitutional according to the Fifth, Seventh, Eighth and Fourteenth Amendments, that in short ensures the right to trial by a jury of your peers, due process of law, and the right to prohibit government’s excessive fines, fees and forfeitures. 

The suit reads in part:

Humboldt County fines landowners hundreds of thousands of dollars for things they never did because it doesn’t investigate the charges it files. The accused rarely ever get the chance to defend themselves…While the County makes accused landowners wait indefinitely for an administrative hearing, fines continue to accumulate and the County denies them permits to develop their property. The only way out is to pay the County, one way or another.

Type of Class Action Suit

The Institute for Justice is renowned for their work advocating for residents across the country who are experiencing heavy handed, unconstitutional government actions, which they coin “policing for profit” and “regulation for profit.”

This particular lawsuit is a class-action suit, which is a civil lawsuit brought on behalf of a group, in this case who have suffered common injuries as a result of the county’s conduct, with Plaintiffs acting to represent the whole group of abatement recipients. 

Essentially this case is not-for-profit, where the plaintiffs represent all abatement recipients, they do not have to pay for IJ’s counsel and the attorneys are not monetarily compensated by them. The named plaintiffs say they view it as “a community service” that they are proud to participate in on behalf of the whole county and beyond.

One of the leading attorneys on the suit Mr. McClain explains this suit is a

23(b)(2), [which] means we’re only seeking forward-looking injunctive and declaratory relief on behalf of the class. No damages. Injunction is ordering the county to do something or not do something. Declaration is saying that they’ve violated the law. So we’re asking the court to say the county violated the rights of everyone in the class and to enjoin/stop them from doing so anymore. Basically we’re asking the court to say the county’s cannabis-abatement program is unconstitutional and order them to stop enforcing their laws in ways that violate the rights of our clients and the class.

The plaintiff’s reward for a win is policy changes that could positively impact all HEIR cannabis abatement recipients, and may even potentially ripple out to help revive the struggling Humboldt economy. If they win, it will make it easier for other abated property owners who feel wronged by Code Enforcement, to bring their cases forward thereafter. Given the case is being filed in Federal Court, the effects could potentially impact residents nationwide as well who are enduring similar regulatory tactics by state and local governments.

McClain details the Humboldt County Clients are, “Four examples of the innocent people who the County’s indiscriminate enforcement policy has harmed.” 

The Humboldt County property owners leading the class action federal suit, have all been featured in stories by this reporter on the RHBB news site. The plaintiffs are District Five’s Rhonda Olson, and District Two’s Corrinne and Doug Thomas, in addition to Blu Graham, who was the very first abatement victim to speak out publicly in 2020 on RHBB (anonymously at the time) about his case. Today, Graham goes public with his story and explains why he volunteered to participate in the class action lawsuit against the County.

Blu Graham

Blu Graham

Blu Graham [Screenshot from the Institute for Justice]

Blu Graham, a hardworking family man, now a grandfather, owns and operates two small businesses including a hiking tourism company Lost Coast Adventure Tours, where he escorts travelers through the breathtaking Lost Coast Trail and expansive CA redwoods. He also owns a restaurant with his wife called Mi Mochima that overlooks the stunning Shelter Cove coast and dishes up their Humboldt homegrown, Venezuelan recipes Friday-Sunday.

In May 2018, the same day seven of his neighbors received an abatement, Graham also received a notice citing three alleged violations, grading for the purpose of cultivating cannabis, cultivation itself, and unpermitted structures, or hoop houses in this case. The abatement initially came with a $30,000 daily fine for 90 days, or 2.7 million dollars.

(Notices distributed until Jan 2020, chart created by UC Berkeley Cannabis Research Center)

(Notices distributed until Jan 2020, chart created by UC Berkeley Cannabis Research Center)

His hoop houses were empty, and Graham did not “grade for the purpose of cannabis cultivation,” as stated on the notice, so he assumed the mistake could be easily resolved with a visit to the Planning and Building Department.

Graham was incorrect.

Graham explained that he went to Code Enforcement immediately to declare his innocence detailing, “I got abated on Thursday, I went into Code Enforcement the following Monday.” 

Graham said he met in the main office of the Planning Dept. in public with permitted farmers, “who were going through hell.” Graham added, “I was going through hell right alongside them, with all these moms and grandmas who were coming in crying about their abatements.”

In order to prove he had no cannabis in his hoophouses or on his property, Graham paid for his own satellite photos during the week the abatement notice was posted, but Code Enforcement Officers John Meredo, Warren Black, Brian Bowes and later Bob Russell continued to deny his innocence and he was unable to get a meeting with Director Ford for years.

Graham said, “I told the county I have nothing on my property…I invited them to come inspect it that day to see for themselves, which they refused….they said I had to sign a compliance agreement.” 

The suit describes Graham’s three options given by the county, stating, “Settle, appeal, or lose his land. They tried to persuade Blu to take the first option—enter a settlement agreement under which he’d admit guilt and pay a $30,000 fine to the County.”

Graham said the initial “compliance agreement,” which more accurately should be called a “settlement agreement” according to the Institute for Justice, also required him to hire an engineer, tear his hoop houses down, and fill in his rain catchment pond used for livestock, wildlife and in case of fire. 

This was unacceptable to Graham because he said he was innocent.

Graham actually used the hoophouse to cultivate fresh produce for his restaurant and had both a nursery and producers certificate to do so. When he applied for the greenhouse structures in 2014 he claims no one in the Planning Department told him he needed a $150 agricultural exempt permit, which may be due to the policy changing after that with no notice to him. 

Graham asked Code Enforcement Officer Brian Bowes for proof he was cultivating cannabis, Bowes allegedly told Graham, “ We don’t have any proof, but you weren’t just growing asparagus in there.”

Attorney McClain explains the county’s policy has no regard for probable cause. McClain said, “The County accuses anyone with a greenhouse or garden plot of growing marijuana without a permit and forces them to prove their innocence at a hearing the County never provides. People have a right to grow food on their land without having to prove to the government that they aren’t growing marijuana.”

The suit also detailed, “The County then imposes ruinous daily fines for things like the failure to get a permit before building a greenhouse if the County thinks a landowner might have marijuana inside the greenhouse.”

“We are entitled to have greenhouses and to grow our own vegetables, but according to [Code Enforcement], if you have a greenhouse, you are a criminal, and I don’t agree with that,” Graham argued.

Although a large number of abatement recipients were cited for growing cannabis commercially as a direct result of satellite photos showing only a hoophouse, Humboldt County Superior Judge Kelly Neal ruled in 2021 that a greenhouse is not “actual evidence” of cannabis cultivation.

(A screenshot of a 2021 appeal of an appeal hearing at the Humboldt County Superior Court, where Judge Kelly Neal ruled greenhouses are not “actual evidence” of cannabis. Note: This case is not related to the plaintiffs or IJ lawsuit.)

(A screenshot of a 2021 appeal of an appeal hearing at the Humboldt County Superior Court, where Judge Kelly Neal ruled greenhouses are not “actual evidence” of cannabis. Note: This case is not related to the plaintiffs or IJ lawsuit.)

Similarly, logging legacies, and fire fuel breaks do not constitute grading violations, as was also alleged in Graham’s case. 

Graham is highly aware of fire dangers in Northern California because he has been a volunteer firefighter since he was nineteen years old. He was the Whale Gulch Volunteer Fire Company Chief for four years and he remains a Captain there today. 

Graham’s ridgetop was used as a fire fuel break to stop the Finley Creek Fire that took out Shelter Cove in 1973 and threatened the forest before stopping on his ridge. Graham’s “grading” allegation was for his fire prevention efforts including the fuel break maintenance, brush clearing on an old logging flat,  and his installing of a rain catchment pond, which he had inspected and approved by the environmental organization Sanctuary Forest. This is technically a grading violation with a maximum penalty of 1,000 per day when not connected to cannabis cultivation, and in some cases it can be resolved with a retroactive permit.

Currently the County offers low cost agricultural permits for ponds such as his, however, Graham said that no one in Code Enforcement mentioned this as a resolution to Graham in the over four years his case was left unresolved. 

Graham said, “The state of California is burning down, we need as much water storage as we can get ….so I basically got abated for being ahead of the game.”

Right to a Jury and Due Process of Law

One of the issues in this lawsuit is the lack of a jury trial, in addition to the demanding timeline, which IJ deems is unconstitutional, for it violates one’s right to due process of law. When property owners receive an abatement notice, they are given only ten calendar days to resolve the violations where applicable, and apply for an appeal hearing with Code Enforcement. The initial fines threatened to be applied daily, almost always exceeding the value of the property if applied for 90 days, so tensions are high.  

“The Planning and Building Department has run wild with its new fine-driven mandate and adopted a policy and practice of charging cannabis-related code violations without proof or process,” The lawsuit says.

Some abatement recipients wait for years without due process after they file for an appeal hearing, while worried they will lose all they have. 

Cannabis Attorney Eugene Denson, who specializes in abatement cases, questions the validity of the appeal hearings which he calls  a “kangaroo court.” 

Denson says, “The hearing officer is an out of town lawyer who acts as a judge, and is contracted by the Director of the Planning Dept. John Ford.”

Denson points out that Ford oversees the abatement program afterall, and who wants to upset their boss? 

McClain added, “County officials brag that the administrative judges they hire have never ruled against the County.  That’s why every American has a right to a jury of their peers.”

Of the approximately 6% of appeal hearings held so far in four years, all decisions have gone in favor of the county, though a handful or 1% have been appealed to the Humboldt Superior Court (Note: This may not include appeal hearings that were labeled “historic” prior to a system update in the summer of 2019).

Given Code Enforcement’s “data migration to new dept. software in the summer of 2019” there are 313 cases labeled “closed historic” without other case status details. Percentages listed will reflect the 906 abatements remaining, instead of 1219, which have status details listed, to get a more accurate picture of current case status. 

(Notices distributed until Jan 2020, chart created by UC Berkeley Cannabis Research Center)

(Notices distributed until August 2022 Jan 2020, For more information on how the information was compiled, click here. [Chart created by Nichole Norris. Data analyzed by UC Berkeley Cannabis Research Center]

New cases continue to add up, with 10% of abatement recipients listed as just receiving a notice or are in various initial phases of the process. While property owners have extreme fines and strict timelines, the county does not have any timelines set for themselves to resolve cases or bring them to an appeal hearing. Subsequently, Code Enforcement is at a virtual standstill at moving through requests for appeal hearings, with about 6% in limbo, sometimes for years, such as Graham. 

Despite his having applied for an abatement appeal hearing in the ten day window that recipients are allowed when they are given an abatement, for over four years Graham was denied his right to his appeal hearing, and left worrying he could potentially owe $30,000 a day, every day since May 2018. This has not only been financially devastating but caused his family immeasurable stress.

Graham compared the abatement program to a “mob shakedown,” and added, “I feel like they are strong-arming people. [At $30,000 a day ] I must owe them, a billion dollars by now …and so what are they going to do, take my home? Do they want people who work hard for this community sleeping under bridges?”

Graham said even though he was innocent and complied with the county’s demands, nothing he did could convince Code Enforcement to resolve his case or get him the appeal hearing he requested, that is until last month, a couple of weeks before the lawsuit was filed. Graham finally received a notice declaring his appeal hearing was scheduled for Oct 14. Because he accepted a settlement offer (detailed later), the hearing is being canceled, and, Graham said after negotiations with Warren Black, he felt it was more likely another tool used by Code Enforcement to get him to sign a settlement agreement.

This wasn’t the first time he felt forced to sign. Since 2020, Code Enforcement held up Graham’s Safe Homes permit approval “as ransom” he felt, in exchange for his signing the settlement agreement, despite his applying and paying for the retroactive house permit years ago, meaning his home was at stake. 

Additionally, the suit details how the County bypassed Graham’s legal counsel throughout the negotiation process, stating, 

Mr. Black encouraged Blu to submit public-records requests to see the County’s perfect win-rate in administrative hearings…Blu interpreted this email as telling him he should settle his case because Code Enforcement does not lose at its administrative hearings… Mr. Black emailed Blu again on August 4, 2020, and confirmed that he would only “release the hold on [Blu’s] safe homes project” if Blu settled his abatement case.

The suit continues, “Shortly after the County served the notice of administrative hearing, Mr. Black once again contacted Blu directly to pressure him to settle.”

The negotiations were ongoing for over four years. After Code Enforcement demanded $30,000 a day from Graham in penalties, a $30,000 flat fine was later offered, then $20,000, then $10,000, and finally a no-penalty settlement agreement. After that, the word cannabis was removed from the agreement, and only the rain catchment agricultural pond was cited, indicating Code Enforcement acknowledged they had no evidence of cannabis cultivation.

The lawsuit details more about how County residents found themselves in this situation, explaining, 

Once marijuana became legal, a newly constituted Code Enforcement Unit was in place to aggressively enforce code violations in Humboldt County. …The County knew there were plenty of code violations due to its underenforcement of the code for decades. Indeed, just as the County implemented its cannabis-driven code enforcement, it also created a “Safe Home Program,” under which gave landowners from October 2017 through the end of 2022 to come forward and apply for as-built permits for their property without facing penalties…So, while the County dangled the carrot of amnesty for building code violations, its Code Enforcement unit began blindly swinging the stick of ruinous fines at any violation with a perceived nexus to cannabis.

Graham kept professing his innocence and working to comply, and said,  “At what point is this just a fear tactic? They are basically saying, pay us money or we’re going to hammer you.”

The suit details how Graham’s case violates his rights, stating, “The County’s refusal to schedule a timely administrative hearing forces an accused landowner to endure years under the threat of fines, fees, abatement costs, and leaves the landowner unable to develop their land with no guarantee that the County will ever schedule their hearing…Fully aware of the financial and psychological costs brought to bear by its abatement regime, the County routinely checks in with landowners to ask if they still want a hearing while pressuring them into settling their case instead.”

The lawsuit aspires to bring relief for cases like Graham’s. It requests the court to, 

“Declare that the County’s cannabis-related code-enforcement policies and practices violate the procedural due process guaranteed by the Fourteenth Amendment…Plaintiffs respectfully request that this Court:  Certify a class under Rule 23(b)(2) consisting of: “All persons who are currently facing penalties for cannabis-related Category 4 violations that were levied after January 1, 2018, who filed an ‘Attachment C’ to request an administrative hearing within 10 days of the County effecting service, and who have still not received a hearing for their appeal.”

This means people who have requested appeal hearings but have not received them yet and who have not settled yet are part of this class action.  IJ reports they are happy to speak with anyone who has an active abatement against them.

On September 26, Graham’s abatement finally came to a close he felt because District Two Supervisor Michele Bushnell arranged to meet with him, Director John Ford, and Code Enforcement officer Bob Russell. 

The meeting aimed to retroactively resolve Graham’s unpermitted rain catchment agriculture pond, the basis for his pending abatement in order to avoid the appeal hearing. An appeal hearing would not only have been costly and time consuming for the county, but for Graham, it would have added more years of stress and legal fees, in addition to possible penalties of $1,000 a day for 90 days, or $90,000. 

The suit details Graham’s resolution stating, “Director Ford agreed to drop Blu’s case without a signed settlement agreement if Blu paid over $3,700 in administrative fees and got the permit for the pond that Blu had been requesting since spring 2018… Director Ford accepted the engineering report Blu had submitted back in January 2019 to support his permit application…Blu completed the permitting process on Monday, October 3, 2022, and the County closed its case against him.”

The lawsuit adds, “Plaintiff Blu Graham was planning to be a class representative until the County suddenly agreed to dismiss his abatement order the week before filing.”

IJ’s Past Constitutional Lawsuit Regarding Excessive Fines, Fees, and Forfeitures 

Founded over thirty years ago in 1991, The Institute for Justice has an expansive outreach with seven headquarters nationwide, and attorneys working in offices in most states. 

Screengrab from Institute of Justice's website.

Screengrab from Institute of Justice’s website.

Going head to head with the government isn’t the easiest area of law to practice, and win at least. Still, IJ’s case track record speaks for itself, having three in four wins of their more than 300 cases litigated, ten of which were before the Supreme Court. 

In 2019 their Timbs v Indiana Supreme Court case unanimous ruling was authored in part by Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg (RBG) about a year before she passed. In her ruling RBG wrote about excessive fines, fees and forfeitures, and the long history of their being used to eradicate certain groups of people by penalizing them for normal conduct. 

RBG wrote in her decision,

“Exorbitant tolls undermine other constitutional liberties…Excessive fines can be used, for example, to retaliate against or chill the speech of political enemies…Even absent a political motive, fines may be employed ‘in a measure out of accord with the penal goals of retribution and deterrence,’ for ‘fines are a source of revenue,’ while other forms of punishment ‘cost a State money.’

In 2019, thanks to the Institute for Justice, The Supreme Court ruled unanimously the Eighth Amendment applied to not just the Federal governments, but also states, counties, and local municipalities, deeming excessive fines unconstitutional at all levels of government.

In her 2019 ruling, RBG detailed part of the history of excessive fines post slavery and it’s importance in maintaining our civil liberties. 

RBG wrote,

Following the Civil War, Southern States enacted Black Codes to subjugate newly freed slaves and maintain the prewar racial hierarchy. Among these laws’ provisions were draconian fines for violating broad proscriptions on “vagrancy” and other dubious offenses…When newly freed slaves were unable to pay imposed fines, States often demanded involuntary labor instead.

Over the past five years rural Humboldt residents say they too feel unduly burdened by excessive fines for dubious offenses, extreme demands, heavy-handed enforcement, and even cite feeling targeted due to a prejudice against their community at a time when legalization promised to deliver liberation and legitimacy. 

Rhonda Olson, another plaintiff featured in a recent RHBB series that got the attention of the IJ team, said, “It’s ironic that after legalization the fines threatened for cannabis allegations, even if you are innocent, leave property owners dreaming of the days when you’d just go to jail vs face a fine of, in my case over 7 million— and for what, the crime of buying property, and trying to provide low income housing?” 

Rhonda Olson

Rhonda Olsen

Rhonda Olsen [Screenshot from video]

After Olson purchased three properties to develop affordable housing she got an abatement notice on all parcels in the previous owners name for cultivation years prior to her purchase. Code Enforcement abated and red tagged her barn threatening $104,000 in daily fines, or $9.36 million total and demanded she sign a settlement agreement.

The new set of abatements given in her name reduced the daily penalties to $83,000, or $7,470,000.

Olson explained, “The county said they were going to work with me, and instead slapped me with a red tag on my barn and $83,000 in daily fines…They keep trying to get me to sign a settlement agreement and pay fines under duress— I refuse.”

The IJ suit states Olson faces daily fines that are nearly double her total purchase price of 60,000 and adds, “The County has also prohibited her from developing her property—the very reason she bought it—while her case is pending. She’s been waiting over two years for a hearing.”

The plaintiffs feel their concerns have largely been “met with crickets” by policy makers over the years. Olson explains she experienced “high pressure,” “bullying tactics,” but, “when we asked policy makers for help for years, no one helped us.”

Olson adds, “The stress of dealing with Humboldt county for almost two years made me physically sick [with shingles]. I think the abatement program was set up to do exactly that: bleed us of every dollar we have and make us go away. Well I’m here to stay, I’ve been lucky enough to get support from the Institute for Justice.”

The Scope: Farm Sizes, Violations Cited and Compliance Agreement Penalties

According to the 2020 Census, Humboldt County has a population of 136,101, and 54,140 households. When considering the 1,219 abatements in total, that’s a rough estimate of 1/45 households impacted by the HEIR program countywide. 

That figure becomes more dire when considering that 70% of abatements were given to District Two, with a population of 26,778 according to the county’s district rezoning data featured on the Lost Coast Outpost. If household v. populations are applied evenly countywide (which they may or may not be), that equates to 10,652 households in District Two, meaning approximately 1/13 households have been directly impacted by this “unconstitutional” program in Southern Humboldt. This does not account for affiliated workers, family, friends who have been directly impacted either, not to mention the local economy.

UC Berkeley Cannabis Research Center Associates helped us analyze a records request response pertaining to abatements from Code Enforcement last month, to get an idea of settlement agreements signed, the scope of the fines paid, violations cited and size of the farms at issue. 

Of the 1,219 abatement notices in total, the average farm size* alleged is 10,227 sq. ft. (*of the 59.77% of owners that have their square footage noted in the records request), with an average of 2.7865 violations cited each. 

Farm Size

*The following are based on the 59.77% that note their sq ft cultivated

Average Violations Cited
*Avg # for farms <5k sq ft  2.04961832 violations
*Avg # for farms <10k sq ft 2.377871 violations
*Avg # for farms >10k sq ft 3.57895 violations
*Avg # for farms >20k sq ft  4.115385 violations

Chart created by Nichole Norris from information analyzed by UC Berkeley. 

Since legalization, medical cannabis laws have also been unclear within enforcement agencies (as discussed in a previous article). There is no way to know for certain how many of these abatement recipients signed compliance agreements and paid fines based on Code Enforcement’s inconsistent medical cannabis law understanding. So for example, some of the abatements under 5,000 sq.ft. with an average of 2.05 violations cited, could be hoophouses and medical gardens and/or vegetables. 

“The crude satellite images that the County relies on reveal plenty of activity wholly unrelated to cannabis growth—let alone illegal growth in a state that allows residents to grow cannabis for medical and recreational use,” the lawsuit filing details.

Many notice recipients were terrified of the daily penalties threatened and so they followed the instruction of Code Enforcement and signed a settlement agreement, under duress, and paid a penalty, often for the amount of the daily fine proposed, $6,000-$10,000 for each alleged violation. 

The lawsuit describes the HEIR program as a “pressure campaign…with the ruinous fines… designed to generate revenue for the County…Once a landowner receives an [abatement], they are trapped unless they pay the County to let them out.”

About 33% of noticed property owners have agreed to sign settlement agreements, and pay an average penalty of $15,509.05 for all farm sizes. In total, $3,858,000 in penalties have been contracted to be paid,  with $3,513,503.56 of that collected so far, in addition to millions more in costs (unquantifiable) and administrative fees (not listed in the public records request). 

Size of Farm Average Penalty*
Farms >10k sq ft $19,327.01
Farms <10k sq ft $14,588.24
All size farms $15,509.05
*Calculated using 59% of farms that note sq. ft. cultivated

Breakdown of average penalties compared with alleged size of farms. [Chart created by Nichole Norris from information analyzed by UC Berkeley.]

IJ Attorney McClain explains, “The County’s cannabis-related code enforcement is designed to use excessive fines to pressure people into settlements without providing them due process.   As the County makes innocent landowners wait indefinitely for their day in court, daily fines continue to accrue and the county refuses to issue permits they need for their property.  This pressure is designed to force people into settlements.  No one should have to incur thousands in fines just to get their day in court.” 

The Thomases

The Thomases holding their abatement letter. [Screenshot from the Institute of Justice's video ]

The Thomases holding their abatement letter. [Screenshot from the Institute of Justice’s video ]

Corrinne and Doug Thomas (discussed in previous articles), plaintiffs in the lawsuit, are also innocent buyers that felt forced to sign the settlement agreement under duress when they faced a $12,000 daily penalty for 90 days or $1,080,00, for a sizable storage shed they just purchased with their land. The county initially demanded they remove the structure as a result of the previous owner’s unlawful cannabis cultivation two years prior to their purchase.

“We signed the settlement agreement under duress, it was coercion,” said Doug Thomas. 

Doug and Corrinne Thomas are retired fire refugees from Southern CA, world renowned for their literature, film and philanthropy work around autism. They have no connection whatsoever to the cannabis industry, so when they received their abatement notice last year alleging they were cultivating cannabis in their storage shed, they were not just perplexed, but terrified. 

The county initially demanded they remove the two and a half story shed. According to their engineer, the demolition would have cost about $180,000, and would require them to remove approximately 70 trees, some Redwoods and old growth Douglas Firs, one of the main reasons they bought the property. Corrine said she felt the request was counterintuitive to the aim of the Humboldt Environmental Harm Reduction (HEIR) program.

Corrine explained, “New buyers… to Humboldt County, are not at fault, or have intent to break any Building and Safety Laws,” adding, “New policies must be established to determine Federal Constitutionality subjective to each owner. To establish a material fine that could render one homeless instead of first showing evidence that an owner is responsible, is neglectful, and may be illegal.” 

March 23, the day after part one of their article was published a policy change was initiated by the Planning Dept. and approved by the Board of Supervisors, enabling the Thomases (and other property owners) to bring structure(s) once used for cannabis up to code instead. However this path is still costly. Though the estimated $11,000 cost to comply in the Thomases case is a significant improvement from the demolition estimate of $180,000, they still feel this is unfair.

Doug detailed the stress involved, and said, 

I’ve had people say, ‘well the county didn’t actually take the million dollars, they just said they were gonna.’ But it’s a big stress, it’s like a guy pulling a gun on you until you give them your money, that’s what the county is doing. The whole premise of the program makes no sense, especially when you compare it to actual serious crimes like child abuse or violence happening in structures all over the county—how many of those owners are forced to destroy the affiliated buildings? The only crime I see associated with cannabis is not paying the county’s extortion fee…This is all about marijuana right, but the government has accepted cannabis as a legal activity—- but only if they get their extortion fee first. That needs to change.

The suit explains how the county has gone beyond their traditional role of protecting the safety, health and welfare of the public. It states, “The County’s proactive, cannabis-focused enforcement mandate extended the purview of the Planning and Building Department and its Code Enforcement Unit beyond the traditional role of processing permit applications and abating nuisances that pose a danger to the public welfare.”

This is indicated in staff increase since legalization. The suit reads, “In 2018, the Department’s first year prosecuting cannabis-adjacent building and permitting issues, the County increased code enforcement by about 700 percent, resulting in the County’s assessment of $3 million in fines that year.”

“The abatement policy has already brought economic deterioration to Humboldt County,” Corrine Thomas said, “Wages are low, industry and jobs are almost non-existent, population growth is low, new housing is nil. The public’s first impression of Humboldt County is that it is a low income area, even though the beauty is far superior. We would love to see businesses instituted that would provide jobs and income to provide first rate schools and opportunity for the current residents.”

Conclusion

In 2020, the HEIR cannabis abatement program received an award from the California Association of Counties (CSAC) for their “innovative and cost effective model to ensure compliance.”  

(Screengrab from PlanetLabs offer for satellite abatement contract obtained by a public records request)

(Screengrab from PlanetLabs offer for satellite abatement contract obtained by a public records request)

 

It’s true—the program costs very little to the county with an annual cost of about $300,000 for the satellite contract itself, plus the annual Planning Dept. budget of $28.1 million, and in comparison to the millions it’s added to the General Fund since 2017. But it’s only “cost effective,” if one neglects to consider the cost to the community. 

In 2018 Blu Graham asked Code Enforcement Agent Brian Bowes, “Of all the mega grows and crazy stuff going on in the county, why did they go after my little hippie homesteader community— Why us?” 

Graham alleges Bowes responded, “Oh, don’t worry, everyone is going to get one of these [abatements].”

It certainly feels that way in Southern Humboldt, Graham said, and speaks to the bigger impacts culturally and socioeconomically, explaining, “I want to promote our hiking trails here. I want to work to bring eco-tourism into our area which could bring life back to this community, but instead I’m dealing with an abatement. How many people in this community are in the same boat? This place is dying. Driving through Garberville there is an entire block of empty buildings and I blame Humboldt County for that.”

Doug adds, “The economy in the area has been destroyed by the county shutting down the cannabis industry, the restaurants, the shops, hardware stores, motels, the whole economy was impacted … We are not going to agree to anything except for the county to get back in line, to see the people who pushed this program get punished, and for them to stop what they are doing…everyone needs to get together and stand up strong against this, and stop them.”

Rhonda Olson noted similar trends and said, “With everything going on today, this lawsuit is really great news. I am so thrilled to be a part of such an important effort to help our entire community realize justice. This abatement program has devastated our county.”

The Institute for Justice is encouraging all abatement victims and concerned community members to join them today via Zoom at 11am (click here).

And though they can’t give advice to people who aren’t their clients.  They encourage anyone who feels they’ve been harmed in the ways we set out in our complaint to contact Attorney Jared McClain directly at [email protected]

Read the law suit here: Humboldt Abatements – Complaint

Special thanks to the UC Berkeley Cannabis Research institute for their data analysis expertise and ongoing support of this work.

If you value Nichole Norris’s investigative journalism please donate at her Gofundme.

In addition, please donate to Redheaded Blackbelt, because without Kym Kemp none of this would have happened, according to Nichole Norris…




If you have any questions or comments you can reach this reporter, Nichole Norris at [email protected]

Earlier:

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247 Comments
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Xebeche
Guest
Xebeche
1 year ago

Wow. Just WOW. To say “thank you” seems not nearly enough. THANK YOU

grey fox
Member
1 year ago
Reply to  Xebeche

This is all about local officials gone power mad.

Hopefully this will lead to some accountability.

Last edited 1 year ago
rollin
Guest
rollin
1 year ago
Reply to  grey fox

“This is about local officials gone power mad.”

Gee, shocker, officials going power mad! Who knew? Yay socialism-derrrp!

“Would like to see the Justice Dept start investigating whats going on.”

The same “Justice” Department that investigates it’s political opponents and ignores crimes committed by its allies? Riiiight! Because you are a lib, you are incapable of understanding how that would, and will eventually end. The “Justice” Dept would wind up investigating the people complaining. That is the world you are mindlessly fomenting. Yay socialism! Bernie 2024!

Last edited 1 year ago
Just a Guy
Guest
Just a Guy
1 year ago
Reply to  rollin

Here we go, another story/thread hijacked by the same few daily commentators arguing about Trump, Brandon, and aliens.

Nooo
Guest
Nooo
1 year ago
Reply to  Just a Guy

Says the group who actually has hijacked the DOJ for that purpose.

Just a Guy
Guest
Just a Guy
1 year ago
Reply to  Nooo

Like a child in class, Focus on the current story please.

Abolish Income Tax
Guest
Abolish Income Tax
1 year ago
Reply to  Just a Guy

Like a child in class…who’s will is meant to be broken down by the institution and replaced with mindless adherence to group think.

rollin
Guest
rollin
1 year ago
Reply to  Just a Guy

Yeah, because addressing abuse of power in an article centered around abuse of power is totally off topic.

What!?D
Member
What!?
1 year ago
Reply to  rollin

Wow, that was stupid. Everything you said. Stupid. No rhyme, no reason. [edit] And no, I did not vote for Biden. My comment is not politically motivated. I’m just tired of people who have no thoughts of their own. Tired of all the stupid.

Last edited 1 year ago
Name*
Guest
Name*
1 year ago
Reply to  What!?

Hey code enforcement guys reading this, you want to chime in with your political affiliations now!?

Oh you already did? Oh you do all the time, I see… Instead of processing your busy work you’re on RHBB all the time…
Go get a real job.

Name*
Guest
Name*
1 year ago
Reply to  rollin

Alot of the trouble has to do with one asshole: Warren Black. It’s already costing the County. I first heard about Black from a very successful Texas melon farmer looking to restart life after his wife’s passing. Not interested at all in growing weed, looking for a rural area to finish raising his kids and grow a small market garden. Doing his diligence, he ended up talking with Warren Black. He was astonished at how prejudiced, mean and angry the guy was. He seemed to hate Humboldt, and it’s residents. He was suspicious of the USDA record setting farmer, and assumed he was intending to grow weed. He was so remarkably discouraging about relocating to Humboldt the farmer made a point of mentioning it to his USDA connects, and perhaps the AG Extension folks. This may be a rare case, but points out a tale of serious discouragement of “Normal”s coming here to do normal things.

Diesel
Guest
Diesel
1 year ago
Reply to  Name*

I couldn’t agree more that Warren Black abuses his power on a regular basis. He has made our life hell for over 3 years and doesn’t have a conscience about it. Like other we were abated without cannabis, he threatened us with $20k in daily fines and then didn’t retract our abatement when we proved our innocence. He bragged that he was bulletproof, said we shouldn’t bother to file an appeal cause the judge always sided with the county. Then, we found out he was ordered to retract our abatement…and then he never sent the letter. That means we’re out hundreds of thousands of dollars restoring logging legacies. That’s who we’re dealing with here…

The Haus
Guest
The Haus
1 year ago
Reply to  rollin

Bruv, you’re the guy who screams communism and socialism at darn near anything, but in reality, you haven’t the slightest clue what either one is, how they’re different from one another, or how many of the things you probably like are actually rooted in good ol socialism. [edit]

Timb0D
Member
1 year ago
Reply to  grey fox

Yes. They will all likely be promoted.

Lone Ranger
Guest
Lone Ranger
1 year ago
Reply to  grey fox

Local? Try national, all politicians care about is the dollar. Why is fuel so high? Doesn’t tax follow the rise? Win win for politicians, awesome.

Country Joe
Member
1 year ago
Reply to  Lone Ranger

Trump cared about you and me and America.

Bill
Guest
Bill
1 year ago
Reply to  Country Joe

Ha!

Country Joe
Member
1 year ago
Reply to  Bill

Sadly the joke is on you and you’re ilk…

Hey Kool-Aid!
Guest
Hey Kool-Aid!
1 year ago
Reply to  Country Joe

Lay off the kool-aid Joe!

Country Joe
Member
1 year ago
Reply to  Hey Kool-Aid!

No kool aid just facts. You must enjoy our high price of gas and inflation.

suspence
Member
suspence
1 year ago
Reply to  Country Joe

No facts, zero. Not one shred of evidence of election fraud in 2020, thrown out of court multiple times by Trump appointed judges. Recount in AZ by rightwing group, nothing. You’re living in a make believe world detached from reality.

In my 1911 I trust
Guest
In my 1911 I trust
1 year ago
Reply to  Hey Kool-Aid!

I’m old enough to remember cheap gas from energy independence, a strong dollar, a robust economy, and a rockin stock market, oh wait that was only two years ago! FJB!

Name*
Guest
Name*
1 year ago

[Sorry, Jerome Powell, Fed chair is a Trump appointee]
Check out an S&P 500 chart of the last five years. The stock market is up over the Trump years. A strong dollar hurts American exports. CA has 6 refineries all undergoing “maintenance” at the same time. You may not like Joe Biden, but be careful with the make-believe, just in case you get your wish and have Trump(!? LMFAO) or DeSanitary as president.

thatguyinarcata
Guest
thatguyinarcata
1 year ago

The dollar is as strong as its been in my lifetime. We’ve got parity with the euro and the pound right now.

That’s not necessarily the best thing for the economy

In my 1911 I trust
Guest
In my 1911 I trust
1 year ago

You really don’t understand supply and demand or economics do you?

So that dollar is really going far nowadays huh bud?

I don’t understand your comment, yes the stock market was up during the Trump years, and now it’s crashing, that was my point? Thanks for reiterating it.

I would love Trump/DeSantis, but even more a Candace Owens/Tulsi Gabbard ticket would be more my style.

ABA
Guest
ABA
1 year ago
Reply to  Country Joe

Even as a joke, that’s not funny.

Country Joe
Member
1 year ago
Reply to  ABA

I never joke about America. You must enjoy the high price of gas, OBidens inflation and a border policy that allows Fentanyl to flood across our southern border.

Name*
Guest
Name*
1 year ago
Reply to  Country Joe

The history of smuggling drugs from Mexico to the US is well documented. The vast majority of drug volume entering has always been large organizations inexorably tied into “drug interdiction” forces, and far right militias. Look into your boy Joe Arpaio’s early years.

Name*
Guest
Name*
1 year ago
Reply to  Country Joe

…and Saudi Arabia, and Russia. The Saudis just cut production to raise revenue, and make Biden look bad before the midterms. When one part of the Country is paying under $3/gal., And we’re paying $7, we’re getting scammed. That’s a $4.00 difference, way more than the added State taxes. How much do these big fuel distros play politics? Wouldn’t it be cool if you could profit grossly, and at the same time generate ill will towards a political foe?

suspence
Member
suspence
1 year ago
Reply to  Country Joe

you’ve been conned by a conman.

Yeet the Rich
Guest
Yeet the Rich
1 year ago
Reply to  grey fox

Day late and a dollar short, the economy is already destroyed

Jim lahey
Guest
Jim lahey
1 year ago
Reply to  grey fox

Yes finally some justice but it is too late the county is in shambles and the county that started it all is in last place in the cannabis industry due to irresponsible political corruption. I hope they investigate every department of humboldt county. It’s disgusting how the county was ran in last 8 years. Rex and festus and bushnell should be arrested they are all corrupt and not fit to for their positions. Humboldt county is ran ass backwards and with just plain stupidity. They will be charged with major crimes .

Guest
Guest
Guest
1 year ago
Reply to  Jim lahey

Let’s start with conspiracy to defraud.

Let’s do it the way they did it.

Let’s make it…

Working for the County is like having a greenhouse…

They are all guilty of conspiracy to defraud, until they can prove themselves innocent.

And until they do…

Hit ’em each with $30,000 a day…

Make them hand over all of their cash…

Slap a lien on all of their homes…

And then never give them a fair hearing…

Let it hang over their heads for five long years…

Make them go without, and go bankrupt…

That’s when the really bad stuff starts to happen, but I don’t wish that on anyone.

Maybe they move after all of that, maybe they don’t.

I hear Oregon is nice…

They pushed too many people over the edge.

It needs to stop.

They need to nullify every abatement.

Right quick like.

And give all that money back…

Now I know why the supervisors gave Ford a raise. (So he didn’t get away).

Someone is gonna have to take the rap.

They are gonna need a fall guy.

Who better than Ford and his henchmen?

Name*
Guest
Name*
1 year ago
Reply to  grey fox

Agencies get insulated and myopic at their own risk. The Code Enforcement divisions seemed good in the short term economically for the Building and Planning dept.
Big however: a person like Blu is way more valuable to the citizens of our County. Just consider the time he spent volunteering in the Fire Service alone; not even considering his entrepreneurial energy. His efforts generously DONATED add up to more VALUE than the money wasted on Warren Black’s paycheck. We’re paying it. For a few more weeks at least. Then we’ll probably also pay a generous termination agreement too. Blu and others just get years wasted.

Steve Koch
Guest
Steve Koch
1 year ago
Reply to  grey fox

From wikipedia:
“The Institute for Justice (IJ) is a libertarian non-profit public interest law firm in the United States…

William H. “Chip” Mellor and Clint Bolick co-founded the organization in 1990 with seed money from libertarian philanthropist Charles Koch.”

Key word is libertarian. Libertarians realize there is no bigger enemy of liberty than government.

Not Blind
Guest
Not Blind
1 year ago
Reply to  Steve Koch

👍👍👍🥳🎉🏴🏴🏴

Actually
Guest
Actually
1 year ago
Reply to  Steve Koch

Why should the political affiliation matter so much? I’m no fan of radical libertarianism but am thankful for their efforts. It’s not hard to not have your political leanings affect every thought and emotion yo have.

rollin
Guest
rollin
1 year ago
Reply to  Xebeche

Since you endlessly espouse the virtues of goverment, we can assume that you are thanking them for their virtuous code enforcement and all of the wonderful public works projects those funds will go towards, like better surveillance, nicer vehicles, bigger guns to point at citizens err, I mean offenders etc.

Kym Kemp
Admin
1 year ago
Reply to  rollin

I think you have the wrong commenter, rollin.

grey fox
Member
1 year ago
Reply to  Kym Kemp

Standing on his soap box he is addressing the world.

90k
Guest
90k
1 year ago
Reply to  Xebeche

The timing of this lawsuit is perfect! out a day after the big developer in eureka gets a positive write up in the lost coast outpost for actually disregarding most everything on his personal building project .Not limited to not following building plans ,no native American history report and building in a wetlands ..ohh and he built a giant road with no permit ..He’s an old up north boy with friends in high government places ,see his fines vs folks in lawsuit !?!

Nichole norris
Guest
Nichole norris
1 year ago
Reply to  90k

I can assure you I have absolutely no knowledge of that and this story is totally unrelated. The lawsuit filing is just a coincidence.

farmer
Guest
farmer
1 year ago
Reply to  Nichole norris

I know but the implications of fraud by the planners and ford is so many areas of government shows a pretty comprehensive picture of the corruption

suspence
Member
suspence
1 year ago
Reply to  90k

“a giant road”? you have extremely limited perspective. And WTF are you talking about “a positive write up”? The article highlighted every egregious inconsistency with the permit and the build. The article was neutral, as news should be.

Redwood Dan
Guest
Redwood Dan
1 year ago
Reply to  Xebeche

Thank you indeed! I remember a few years back at the Mateel there was a community meeting about the abatements. One woman was telling John Ford the fines were absurdly high and were arbitrarily decided on. He was like, No we put a lot of thought into coming up with these $ amounts in order to compensate for the potential damage caused. She said So they are arbitrary then, because you can’t assign an amount to fix damage that hasn’t happened. John just kept saying no, they were developed appropriately.
And the abatements were targeted at Cannabis growers, not equally applied to all property owners in the county. Why aren’t the property owners with homeless camps on them abated when continual environmental degradation is actually happening(not just a “violation” with the potential to cause damage) and being documented by law enforcement. Fair is fair right?

Giant Squirrel
Guest
Giant Squirrel
1 year ago
Reply to  Xebeche

Aren’t 90%+ of abatements truly illicit growers? Play the game, pay the price

thatguyinarcata
Guest
thatguyinarcata
1 year ago
Reply to  Giant Squirrel

I’d be curious to know where you’re getting that number from. I’m not aware of any actual stats on the issue

Hayforker
Guest
Hayforker
1 year ago
Reply to  Giant Squirrel

Even if they are growing, code enforcement should be based on evidence and not guilty until you prove yourself innocent. Sending abatement letters to people because they have a greenhouse and then making them prove they are innocent with huge daily fines accruing is crazy and unconstitutional.
There is no due process or clear appeal process. They pressured people into signing just so they don’t have mounting fines. Total racket by the county.

Name*
Guest
Name*
1 year ago
Reply to  Giant Squirrel

Was it about eliminating the weed, or a financial shakedown? Chop the weed down. One and done. No, this is about money, and satisfying a certain sadism of creepy code enforcers. Disconnected urban administrators were so prejudiced against rural residents, they got carried away with their extortion scheme.

About time
Guest
About time
1 year ago

Finally someone is calling out the corrupt BOS. I hope the curtain gets pulled a little off their ilegal ways and all the people get some justice.

SMH
Guest
SMH
1 year ago

“Oh no Michelle is there for us!”, they all said as they blindly dropped off their ballots. You voted in your main competition! See ya at the next election love!

Nah
Guest
Nah
1 year ago
Reply to  SMH

Uhhh you obviously arent paying attention. Michelle has to recuse herself from many cannabis issues, tho Rex does not since their pot business is in his sons name only.
At least Michelle is honest about her cannabis farm

Lou Monadi
Guest
Lou Monadi
1 year ago
Reply to  Nah

By recusing herself, she is unable to represent us due to conflict of interest.

Guest
Guest
Guest
1 year ago
Reply to  Lou Monadi

Kind of a catch-22.

If Michelle Bushnell wasn’t familiar with the industry, she wouldn’t make a very knowledgeable representative, as far as the industry, is concerned.

But because of that very familiarity with the industry, she must recuse herself, so, that educated representation, is unfortunately, somewhat neutralized.

In this regard, I must speak in support of Michelle Bushnell and her familiarity with the industry, even if it means she is involved in it.

It can’t be helped.

I feel that we would be less well represented by a supervisor that doesn’t have the first clue about the industry, like some of the other Supervisors.

It’s a necessary conundrum.

Vective
Guest
Vective
1 year ago
Reply to  Guest

So let her speak, but not vote. Natch.

Lou Monadi
Guest
Lou Monadi
1 year ago
Reply to  Guest

I also supported Bushnell and voted for her, due to her knowledge and familiarity with the industry. I was greatly disappointed when I found out that she would NOT be voting on any cannabis issues due to her involvement in the industry, per her lawyers advice. I don’t think that was made clear to her voters, and imo we in the 2nd district do not have a voice in these important matters. If our representation is not voting, then we have no representation. Definitely a catch 22!

Name*
Guest
Name*
1 year ago
Reply to  Lou Monadi

Bushnell wasn’t even elected when this started. Indeed Code Enforcement has been around waiting to fuck with rural residents for a while. Anyone else remember the “blight” abatements focused on SoHum 20 years ago? Warren Black and the other (selective)Code Enforcement crew are dragging the supes by the neck along on their “counter insurgency” mission. The present supervisors represent the County NOW, so they’re named in the suit. The supervisors now need to overhaul the Code Enforcement division, and fire those who are dragging the County into an I’ll concieved, illegal, and expensive boondoggle.

Permanently on Monitoring
Member
Permanently on Monitoring
1 year ago
Reply to  Name*

Bushnell is unfit to serve, by definition, due to her conflicting interests…

Pseudonymous
Guest
1 year ago
Reply to  Nah

The BOS are paid ~100k a year. She shouldn’t have run in the first place if she wasn’t willing to sell or close her farm while serving.

Guess
Guest
Guess
1 year ago
Reply to  SMH

Michell wasn’t supervisor when they abatement program was started 🙄

dawni
Guest
dawni
1 year ago
Reply to  SMH

Whsn most of th ecurrent cannabis permitting and abatement regulations were put in place Michelle Bushnell was not the 5th district supervisor.

Guest
Guest
Guest
1 year ago
Reply to  dawni

Michelle Bushnell is the Second District Supervisor.

Madrone is the Fifth District Supervisor.

Bill
Guest
Bill
1 year ago
Reply to  SMH

Wait a minute. Shouldn’t this be a whole new sub-topic?
Representative government involves people with self interests. We don’t elect a board of cloistered monks!
What supervisor in Humboldt doesn’t have an intimate experience with cannabis?
Enough pussy-footing nonsense! Wade in and weigh in!

Guest
Guest
Guest
1 year ago
Reply to  Bill

Clendenen?

Legallettuce
Guest
1 year ago

Thank you! I agree with other commentators thank you is minimal compared to the agony caused. Blessings to you all.

Just a Guy
Guest
Just a Guy
1 year ago

This is going to be an intense day for many in our community. I can’t imagine the hundreds of citizens reading this, realizing their nightmare might be ending today.

Hayforker
Guest
Hayforker
1 year ago
Reply to  Just a Guy

I hope the county has to void any compliance agreements and refund the extortion fines.

Really!?!
Guest
Really!?!
1 year ago

Good, Warren Black is a thug and should fired for the way he has “served” the community, same with John Ford and his newly increased salary. Dude doesn’t seem to have control of his department at all.

Guest
Guest
Guest
1 year ago
Reply to  Really!?!

Don’t forget Bob Russell.

He needs to be shown the door, as well.

Oh Please
Guest
Oh Please
1 year ago
Reply to  Guest

Bob Russel has been using his position to harass his next door neighbor, in fact putting her out of business many years after the planning department gave her the green light to run the small business next to her house. The cameras pointed at her house are really creepy.

Arctostaphylos
Guest
Arctostaphylos
1 year ago
Reply to  Oh Please

Bob Russell is harassing his neighbor?!? We need an entire story just on that!

rollin
Guest
rollin
1 year ago

The same libs who consistently vote (and comment here) for more and more government are shocked when the power mad goverment THEY CREATED inevitably and predictably turns on them. Then, like the proverbial abused housewife, they run back for more while calling you an extremist for wanting less. Liberalism is a mental disorder.

Legallettuce
Guest
1 year ago
Reply to  rollin

Actually the issue is a bunch of stupid citizens that do not understand these departments were commissioned by conservatives who like to blame others when their failed logic bites’em in their asses. Wait til the lawsuit is filed on the Alderpoint grow and the voters of the county uncover the slimey politics used to build a bunch of hoopers with blue tags on plants above a school bus stop and within 50ft of the road. Shall we mention the weight of those water tanks on unstable ground. I say not yet, mother nature will take care of it in less than two years if not add it to the list.

Nooo
Guest
Nooo
1 year ago
Reply to  Legallettuce

The difference between liberal and conservative – when government screws them, it’s liberal. When government screws me, it’s conservative.

Legallettuce
Guest
1 year ago
Reply to  Nooo

This lies solely on those who through the use of restrictive measures are in clear hopes it removes citizens from the area they think less of. That’s about as direct in identification of a conservative as their is. Judgemental assholes who think less of others because standards they think we should all comply. I choose not to live that way and the constitution supports my efforts.

rollin
Guest
rollin
1 year ago
Reply to  Legallettuce

“Judgemental assholes who think less of others because standards they think we should all comply.”

You mean like with vax mandates for vaccines that don’t work or mask mandates for masks that don’t work? Those judgemental assholes?

Legallettuce
Guest
1 year ago
Reply to  rollin

What the hell are ya talk’in about, focus. A health mandate during a crisis is not a judgement it is a detereant to a health crisis. Going overboard during a health crisis for the safety of other citizens is not a bad thing. This lawsuit is filed against those going overboard and causing actual harm to people not responsible.

It’s what is known as justice. We The People stuff not your zealot facisists leading herd bullshit who think somehow wearing a mask restricts freedom. I wore a mask and did the same shit I did when I didn’t wear a mask. Anti-mask people are just plain ass dumbshits.
The justifications I have heard since the pandemic to not wear a mask are the most fuck’in stupidest logic in tying it to the word freedom I have ever heard in my life.

rollin
Guest
rollin
1 year ago
Reply to  Legallettuce

comment image

Legallettuce
Guest
1 year ago
Reply to  rollin

Moooo!

Actually
Guest
Actually
1 year ago
Reply to  rollin

Wasn’t trump the one who blitzkriegeged the vaccine through with operation warp speed?

Vective
Guest
Vective
1 year ago
Reply to  Actually

And thank God he did! Can you imagine how much worse the vaxx would have been had the pharma-terrorists been allowed additional time to perfect their nefarious plans?
Trump also mentioned alternate treatments (e.g. HCQ and Ivermectin) and the amazing blue LED intubation tube technology (mischaracterized as “drinking bleach”).

Abolish Income Tax
Guest
Abolish Income Tax
1 year ago
Reply to  Nooo

Well said#

Redwood Dan
Guest
Redwood Dan
1 year ago
Reply to  Legallettuce

After seeing those setbacks, I was scratching my head too. That farm claims they will be 100% rainwater catchment by next year. Doing some quick multiplication, they won’t even be able to fill up all the tanks sitting under their rain catchment structure, let alone the bunch farther up the hill.

rollin
Guest
rollin
1 year ago
Reply to  Legallettuce

“these departments were commissioned by conservatives”

And then your alarm clock went off. What are their names then? Newsflah- You live in a Democratic county in a Democratic state with SUPERMAJORITYS in both houses.

Legallettuce
Guest
1 year ago
Reply to  rollin

You name them you are the one countering my argument. As typical no facts just a tyraid. No understanding of rule or the mechanisms of rule. Just the typical simple conservative herd response.

Conservative
Opinion
Without
Substance

C.O.W.S……..Mooooo!

Last edited 1 year ago
Giant Squirrel
Guest
Giant Squirrel
1 year ago
Reply to  Legallettuce

👍 funny COWS line

Lou Monadi
Guest
Lou Monadi
1 year ago
Reply to  Legallettuce

Here’s another good one..

We
Oppose
Knowledge-based
Education

W.O.K.E.

Legallettuce
Guest
1 year ago
Reply to  Lou Monadi

Yes, please explain this fox news propaganda bullshit against what I think is a positive word “WOKE” cause I am so fuck’in confused. We The People protects us citizens from government overstepping their boundaries. So how is making government accountable. Such as; an employee who is voted out of office taking official documents and some classified by our government to their personal residence a falicy of the WOKE community. I am neither liberal, conservative or a moderate. Dope grower who believes in carrying a weapon and government doesn’t tell me what to do, I do!! Yea, came to grow weed in 83-84 for the money fell in love with a growers daughter yada yada had 4 kids, blah blah blah.

Joe
Guest
Joe
1 year ago
Reply to  Legallettuce

You should probably pay the income tax you owe for all those years of growing. If Trump broke the law he would probably be in jail.

Legallettuce
Guest
1 year ago
Reply to  Joe

I consider those dollars duty-free donations to help fight the war against a government that lied to the people and unjustly made me an outlaw because of a plant.

In my 1911 I trust
Guest
In my 1911 I trust
1 year ago
Reply to  Legallettuce

Another liberal with no accountability.

Legallettuce
Guest
1 year ago

I exercise my constitutional rights. No taxation without representation. It’s my duty to challenge unjust laws. I would think of anyone commenting you would understand 1911. Yep, I came for the money in the early 80s but I stayed because my government lied and used force against its own people.

In my 1911 I trust
Guest
In my 1911 I trust
1 year ago
Reply to  Legallettuce

You aren’t an outlaw. Sorry man. Anyone who bends the knee to government mandates is not an outlaw. You forfeited that status. You are disgraceful to true outlaws.

Keep your head up high, stay loyal, remain free, and always value honor.

Legallettuce
Guest
1 year ago

lol….I agree, I am just a grower! It’d be nice if I could just do that without interference.

In my 1911 I trust
Guest
In my 1911 I trust
1 year ago
Reply to  Legallettuce

You can. Get a license.

ABA
Guest
ABA
1 year ago
Reply to  Lou Monadi

Uhhh…WOK-BE? Can’t even get an acronym right.

rollin
Guest
rollin
1 year ago
Reply to  Legallettuce

“You name them you are the one countering my argument.”

Translation: I cannot name the conservative.

You cannot possibly be so stoned that you don’t understand that the onus is on the person making the claim. You CLAIM conservatives are making the laws in a state with supermajorities in BOTH houses (FACT). Who are these phantom conservatives?
 As typical no facts, just a triggered liberal tirade.

Crickets

Legallettuce
Guest
1 year ago
Reply to  rollin

lol, //Translation: I cannot name the conservative.//

Translation: You googled it and found out it was a conservative, lol

Mooooo. Lock Trump Up 2024!

In my 1911 I trust
Guest
In my 1911 I trust
1 year ago
Reply to  Legallettuce

Name what “it” is

What!?D
Member
What!?
1 year ago
Reply to  rollin

Politicism is a mental disorder. Anyone who believes that their vote counts is batshit crazy. 5150

Bill
Guest
Bill
1 year ago
Reply to  What!?

Because anarchy is how you roll?

Bill
Guest
Bill
1 year ago
Reply to  rollin

I’ll keep it short. Wrong!

ABA
Guest
ABA
1 year ago
Reply to  rollin

Do you realize that there is not a prize for the dumbest comment? Stop trying to win it.

In my 1911 I trust
Guest
In my 1911 I trust
1 year ago
Reply to  rollin

The term has been around since the days of Stalin, I believe it is “useful idiots.”

Squeeler
Guest
Squeeler
1 year ago

I hope this will apply to Trinity County also after these good people are victorious!

Xebeche
Guest
Xebeche
1 year ago
Reply to  Squeeler

It is in FEDERAL court. It’s decision will apply in Arkansas 😁

Hayforker
Guest
Hayforker
1 year ago
Reply to  Squeeler

Trinity never got the satellite surveillance program running. The state grant was denied as the county never developed the retail cannabis ordinance as required. Yes Saxon had plans to do it, but they can’t even manage the tasks they already have. Also, there’s a strong chance the code enforcement budget sees some cuts to balance the county budget. I suspect this suit will be victorious and thus trinity will never see this happen there.

Squeeler
Guest
Squeeler
1 year ago
Reply to  Hayforker

I contend that Trinity County is doing something very similar by flying a plane over and then serving abatement notices

Hayforker
Guest
Hayforker
1 year ago
Reply to  Squeeler

The plane flyovers are followed up with an on the ground visual confirmation sometimes with warrants. They will show up at your gate and come on to the property or often they will look from a neighboring property. I would contend they are trespassing, but the open field doctrine is cited and they go where they please if they can see problems. Photos are part of the case file. I’ve looked at numerous NOVs over the years and it’s with a written description and pics.

Don’t get me wrong, I don’t like code, Saxon, or any of this. I would just say Humboldt is worse in this respect of satellites, abatement letters without evidence, lack of due process, and 10k per violation fines (It’s 1k in Trinity).

thatguyinarcata
Guest
thatguyinarcata
1 year ago
Reply to  Hayforker

///and 10k per violation fines (It’s 1k in Trinity).///

This is what I still don’t understand, CA law caps penalties for planning and building code violations at 1000$/day. Without getting into the constitutional issues (which Humboldt county’s policy certainly runs afoul of), the proposed penalties are just flagrantly illegal under state law. Jurisdictions can’t just add severe penalties beyond the maximum penalty allowed by law.

Just like Humboldt can’t put me in jail for a year for a speeding ticket, they can’t fine people 10k/day for a code violation. The law is clear

Guest
Guest
Guest
1 year ago

I’m still trying to find a record of the supervisors meeting where they increases the fines from $100 to $10,000 a day…

I’ve searched before also, and had no luck…

Kym, or Nichole, do you remember?

Was this at the Mateel?

At a board meeting in Eureka?

I just remember that one or more of the supervisors stated it’s gotta hurt, or something to that effect…
And then arbitrarily decided on $10,000…

I’ve searched and searched.

I can’t find it…

I think it would be pertinent to the conversation…

Last edited 1 year ago
Guest
Guest
Guest
1 year ago
Reply to  Guest

Found this…

https://humboldt.county.codes/Code/352-5

“(a) Any and all Violations may be subject to an administrative civil penalty of up to ten thousand dollars ($10,000.00), or as allowed by applicable State law, whichever is higher, per calendar day up to and including the ninetieth (90th) calendar day. Administrative civil penalties may be imposed by the Code Enforcement Unit as set forth in this Chapter or the court if the Violation requires court enforcement without an administrative process.”

________________________

Emphasis on…

“or as allowed by applicable State law, whichever is higher”
________________________

And this…

(Ord. 2138a, § 1, 12/3/1996; Ord. 2272, 4/23/2002; Ord. 2576, § 5, 6/27/2017; Ord. 2646, § 2, 7/28/2020)

________________________

Emphasis on…

“Ord. 2576, § 5, 6/27/2017”

________________________

Is this the day of the decision at the Board Meeting???

Last edited 1 year ago
Lawrence Jetboat
Guest
Lawrence Jetboat
1 year ago

Many different agencies are employing threats of outsized fines for minor alleged infractions. The recourse is pay a “Streamlined Settlement”, admitting fault, or risk having to go before an Administrative Law judge six hours away. Guilty, on you to prove innocence. One mistaken referral on me is still being drawn out four years later, pushing the statute of limitations. The Government employee who misplaced a document doesn’t even work there* anymore!
(*a certain regulatory agency far removed from any weed biz)
This kind of abuse might be addressed with some kind of new law or enforcement of an old law aimed at the potential for the abuse of these Administrative Law proceedings by State Agencies. We voters empower these agencies in general terms to tackle reasonable missions, then they revert to these self supporting shakedown schemes against “little guys” poorly prepared to fight back.

In my 1911 I trust
Guest
In my 1911 I trust
1 year ago
Reply to  Squeeler

Not really. They fly the plane and if they see marijuana plants they send an abatement. It’s the same thing as a sheriff flying a chopper and seeing pot plants and initiating a raid.

A satellite picture gone over by some staffer who sees a greenhouse and gets all hotdog over it and decides to send out a letter just based on a picture of a greenhouse is totally different.

Actually
Guest
Actually
1 year ago

Can you get in on this if you were terrorized by code enforcement even though you were not growing weed?

Nichole norris
Guest
Nichole norris
1 year ago
Reply to  Actually

That would be a great case to add on yes. Please email me at [email protected]

Guest
Guest
Guest
1 year ago
Reply to  Nichole norris

First of all,

Thank you immeasurably for the current and ongoing coverage, to Nicole Norris, and Kym Kemp, and RHBB as a whole.

The pen is truly mightier than the sword.

Then, I must ask, what are the people who signed compliance agreements under duress, and subjected to additional “atrocities”, to do?

The violations of the code enforcement unit, became violations of the law enforcement departments, and even violations of the judicial system, which blindly followed, in a cart before the horse, slipshod manner, code enforcement’s over zealous, maligned lead.

And also I want to put in a plug for Blu Graham. He is really an outstanding, dedicated guy, who has put his heart and soul into his community, not only as an extraordinarily effective, and exemplary volunteer fire fighter and VFD leader, but in many other aspects of the community as well.

I think it is terrible that the efforts of many such dedicated, contributing members of our community’s, have been neutralized, by converting their energies into a futile, unnecessary struggle with the county which should be facilitating their improvements and contributions our collective well being.

The very last thing that Blu Graham needed or deserved, was one iota of additional stress from the County of Humboldt.

He’s a volunteer firefighter for goodness sake!!!

That involves a tremendous, sometimes unbearable amount of stress, in and of itself.

I guess no good deed goes unpunished.

I just have one other question… For now…

What took so long for this to come to a head…???

It’s been going on for way too long!!!

Big salute to the INSTITUTE FOR JUSTICE

Nichole norris
Guest
Nichole norris
1 year ago
Reply to  Guest

Thank you so much for the acknowledgment friend and your comments about Blu too, what a great human being and community member. I worked with him on his abatement from day one in the law office and it was his (and many others) case that really inspired me to write about this matter, it didn’t seem right.

I have been reporting on this matter since legalization (starting with the greenfuse thanks to Paul encimer, RIP). But it is not an exaggeration when I say that none of this would have happened without Kym kemp. kym/rhbb was the only local media outlet who was willing to take me under her wings and help to publish these important stories, which then got the attention of the institute for justice. I literally tried all of the local outlets, tv, radio and print and Kym was the only one. Please consider donating to this incredible new site. Thanks everyone!

Middleground
Guest
Middleground
1 year ago
Reply to  Nichole norris

Great work- hope you consider stepping into politics one day

Nichole norris
Guest
Nichole norris
1 year ago
Reply to  Middleground

Thanks, that means a lot. It’s interesting you should mention that. I’m so not the politician type (Bernie aside) but I also feel like I know too much about the issues not to try to change the circumstances here, right? I have a child after all, it’s my job.

I like Michelle Bushnell a lot as a person, I advocated for candidacy even, but if she doesn’t run next time, I have considered running an experimental campaign for the people and planet. my first platform position would be to donate the amount I make (~120k plus benefits last I checked) above the average income of constituents in my district (~ 25k) to a charity, like local schools, volunteer fire depts, and/or a woman’s shelter, rather sanctuary/ small farm non profit ideally and /or something that aligns with the issues I see making the biggest impact.

I would also guarantee a ban on this hack and squirt chaos countywide by pge and other corporations. I would commit myself to help legacy farmers (and so our entire economy) to survive, to establish coops, enable farmers market sales, insure medical rights are not infringed upon. One of my passions is around afford housing, so I would insist on low income housing opportunities, even that which was beyond the scope of current government policy and awareness, like that made out of recycled materials (see my previous articles re Yeehaw). The list goes on, again thanks. Point is, I’m not giving up hope and thank you so much for the reminder friend 🙂

Hayforker
Guest
Hayforker
1 year ago
Reply to  Nichole norris

Yes, thank you Kym also! RHBB is easily the best goto new source in the Triangle!

Giant Squirrel
Guest
Giant Squirrel
1 year ago
Reply to  Guest

And Mi Mochima is a great restaurant, good as best in EKA/ARC

Hayforker
Guest
Hayforker
1 year ago
Reply to  Nichole norris

Incredible reporting Nichole!!!

Nichole norris
Guest
Nichole norris
1 year ago
Reply to  Hayforker

Thanks friend!

Guest
Guest
Guest
1 year ago
Reply to  Nichole norris

It really can’t be overemphasized.

But it probably should be.

The amount of dedication that you have demonstrated is phenomenal.

Heroic, really.

Thank you for not giving up.

Nichole norris
Guest
Nichole norris
1 year ago
Reply to  Guest

That Means a lot, thank you. When youve seen what I’ve seen, there is no giving up. I used to keep track of all the deaths, suicides, overdoses and other stress related deaths related to abatement recipients. In just four years I lost track. There a few folks I wish were here today to read this news, but sadly they didn’t make it. Rip friends, I hope you are celebrating somewhere.

YellowFlowers
Guest
YellowFlowers
1 year ago
Reply to  Nichole norris

This is truly heartbreaking, “…all the deaths, suicides, overdoses and other stress related deaths related to abatement recipients.” In a perfect world, those who were in charge of the abatements in the first place, along with those in charge right now, would be up on murder charges.
I’m pretty sure you lost a piece of your heart while staying with this story and I applaud your fearless dedication, determination and tenacity to get this story told.
Kym has always been fearless and will stand her ground on any article she puts out there, all those media outlets that turned you down, could really take a page from Kym’s operation. Thank g-d for RHBB, you both are formidable, thank you again for everything you’ve done and will continue to do~

Guest
Guest
Guest
1 year ago
Reply to  Nichole norris

I’ve been trying to locate any information on the Board of supervisors meeting where the fines were increased from 100 dollars per day to 10,000 dollars per day…

It seems like that’s where the board of supervisors first overstepped their constitutional bounds.

Estelle Fennell may have been present at that meeting or not, but if so, it seems like she should be named in this action if she voted affirmatively on the excessive fines.

That meeting would be relevant to this discussion, but try as I might, I cannot locate any record of it…

Do you recall the meeting, and/or, do you know how to locate that information?

I remember the supervisors being pretty callous about it…

Something along the lines of, “it’s gotta hurt.”

I didn’t like it.

But, I can’t find it.

That’s where much of the trouble began…

Last edited 1 year ago
Jim lahey
Guest
Jim lahey
1 year ago
Reply to  Nichole norris

Thank you please get these people justice that lost everything due to corrupt politicians. This county is in hell because of these people.

Seven Pounds of Pressure
Guest
Seven Pounds of Pressure
1 year ago

Code enforcement should be afraid.

Make code enforcement scared again.

M.C.E.S.A.

rollin
Guest
rollin
1 year ago

The same libs who consistently vote (and comment here) for more and more government are shocked when the power mad government THEY CREATED inevitably and predictably turns on them. Then, like the proverbial abused housewife, they run back for more while calling you an extremist for wanting less. Liberalism is a mental disorder.

willow creeker
Member
1 year ago
Reply to  rollin

Your comments are tiresome.

rollin
Guest
rollin
1 year ago
Reply to  willow creeker

“Your comments are tiresome.”
 Of course they are because no matter how much you strain your brain you cannot refute my arguments. The truth hurts. It’s easier to accept it, even at the expense of a few purple haired comrades.

willow creeker
Member
1 year ago
Reply to  rollin

You are like Billy the large mouth bass, just saying the same tired comments any time you get triggered. It’s not worth straining my brain to answer you.

Just a Guy
Guest
Just a Guy
1 year ago
Reply to  willow creeker

That visual was awesome!!!!!

What!?D
Member
What!?
1 year ago
Reply to  rollin

How can one “refute” illogical nonsense?

Legallettuce
Guest
1 year ago
Reply to  rollin

You make no sense and sound like John Ford. Lock Trump Up 2024!

Just sayin
Guest
Just sayin
1 year ago
Reply to  Legallettuce

Boy oh boy! All you do is complain! Your just a zesty sheep letting the real PRESIDENT TRUMP live rent free in ur everyday life! Love it!
TRUMP 2024

Legallettuce
Guest
1 year ago
Reply to  Just sayin

Mooooo!!!! Lock Trump Up 2024!

rollin
Guest
rollin
1 year ago
Reply to  Legallettuce

“You make no sense”

Put down the dope for a couple hours. Everything will eventually come in clearer. 

Legallettuce
Guest
1 year ago
Reply to  rollin

Moooo.

Actually
Guest
Actually
1 year ago
Reply to  rollin

You are the king of arguing in bad faith.

geoffrey davis
Guest
geoffrey davis
1 year ago

And so tips the scales of justice,and where has all the money gone from people who paid fines?

Legallettuce
Guest
1 year ago
Reply to  geoffrey davis

Same place that red corvette went when the sherriff ‘s office stole it from a dead guy.

What!?D
Member
What!?
1 year ago
Reply to  geoffrey davis

Rex’s pocket.

Guest
Guest
Guest
1 year ago
Reply to  geoffrey davis

A bunch of it went into the wrong pockets, you can be sure of that…

I’d mention a few names, but they might get deleted…

Country Joe
Member
1 year ago
Reply to  Guest

Please go ahead and mention their names…

Adrienne Floreen
Guest
1 year ago

Thank you for telling these people’s personal stories. Perhaps they could help me file a lawsuit over was done to me from 2012-2014. It would be nice if someone would tell my personal story, which has never been reported by anyone but me, but I do not think this reporter will be the one to do so.

Hayforker
Guest
Hayforker
1 year ago

If you were more reasonable and not so angry all the time someone might help you. But please remember that you must be able to help yourself first or the efforts of others will be wasted.

I suggest you start with a letter to the editor here on RHBB and skip the pity party.

Adrienne Floreen
Guest
1 year ago
Reply to  Hayforker

Um, I did write letters and they didn’t get published, but Kym did publicly post that she was pretty sure I was real and not a troll and wanted the community to weigh in in the replies with their opinions on my sanity so I doubt any rational letter I wrote would get published.

HotCoffee
Guest
HotCoffee
1 year ago

Your comments get published, don’t they?
And most of them insult the publisher.

Just a Guy
Guest
Just a Guy
1 year ago
Reply to  HotCoffee

Agreed

Hayforker
Guest
Hayforker
1 year ago

Well I don’t know what to say. I would expect Kym to publish letters to the editor that are not slandering, inciting violence, etc. You may want to start your own blog.

I have no doubt you’re a real person, but I personally don’t find your approach to most topics as reasonable. Sorry

Last edited 1 year ago
thatguyinarcata
Guest
thatguyinarcata
1 year ago

From everything you’ve shared in various comments here your story is not uncommon. You got your grey market grow wrecked by the cops while you were partying, it happened to tens of thousands of people in this state in those days and many suffered more severe penalties than you.

I had a small medical garden destroyed in 2009 and was terrorized by heavily armed police. That was the price we paid for getting such good prices for the finished flower. Your story is not unique or especially interesting, accept that you were part of a massive social wave preceding legalization and move on with your life.

Adrienne Floreen
Guest
1 year ago

The issue is that I have NOT heard of someone else being secretly punished by the county by being forced to live in their home in town not a rural area with no electricity for two years including while pregnant. Also it was truly a legal medical grow and I was growing the pot just for myself not a grey grow. And it was also the first time I ever grew pot indoors after years of buying it, set up by my friends not me for me to save me money.

Joe
Guest
Joe
1 year ago

Is that the one when took acid and hanging in a tree on 299?

Adrienne Floreen
Guest
1 year ago
Reply to  Joe

No that was years before and totally not planned by me. I was invited on a trip to the river, and ended up hanging in a tree.

jack bourne
Guest
jack bourne
1 year ago

The Cannabis Industry is full of scams.

What about Humboldt Brand, They told farmers to pay them 10k to gain shares in there company, then those shares were never given to farmers, they extorted money on the false pretext that farmers would be buying shares and owning part of the company. Later those farmers were told they would not get any shares and were given nothing?

Wheres the class action lawsuit against them?

Or what about how all the legal distributors have been stealing weed from growers, not paying them, holding materials hostage for over 2 years, refusing to return products when they legally have too.

They force us to use a middleman, then they take advantage and prey upon the small farmers.

Farmers in the Triangle are lucky to make 100$ a lb in profit now.
Most farmers are loosing money trying to run a farm.

Hayforker
Guest
Hayforker
1 year ago
Reply to  jack bourne

Those farmers need to get together and organize. That’s how a difference is made. Maybe you could lead the charge?

As for distro problems, well don’t do business with them. Or better yet, don’t front it or even better start your own distro!

willow creeker
Member
1 year ago
Reply to  Hayforker

Get together and organize? Are you realizing what the left has been about for so many years?

Hayforker
Guest
Hayforker
1 year ago
Reply to  willow creeker

Not sure what you’re saying. If this is some political comment I will claim ignorance. I don’t like the left or right. Humans are tribal so I get it, but I choose to reject this dogmatic view of the world. Sometimes the left is wrong, sometimes the right is, often they both are. I could go on…

My point about organizing is that it’s the best, lowest cost way to get things changed. I personally prefer campaign donations and paid advertising, but they are expensive. I honestly don’t expect it to happen since organizing growers (legal or esp illicit) is next to impossible. If it wasn’t then it would not have taken years to see a lawsuit.

guest
Guest
guest
1 year ago
Reply to  jack bourne

Are you talking about True Humboldt? Humboldt Brand are good people, they are selective with who they work with and have a professional systems and keep track of their product. Bear on the other hand is a total scam. they kept my product for 2 years and said it didn’t pass testing so we had to squeeze them for pennies on the dollar. the test date was for they day they wrote us the check! (2 years later) supposedly there was eagle20, out of years and years of testing for the one and only time and we grow organic so it is impossible. they used fraudulent testing to pay us less and forgot to photoshop the date!

Bill
Guest
Bill
1 year ago

Does the author have a proofreader, or editor?
May I suggest they get one or both?
Brevity would be appreciated.
Repetition of whole paragraphs is not.
I found it unreadable.

Permanently on Monitoring
Guest
Permanently on Monitoring
1 year ago
Reply to  Bill

An incredibly long item, about the same people who complained previously…

The only progress here, is a class-action suit against a broke-ass county, which will undoubtedly settle for 10cents on the dollar…

Of course, nobody EVER grew any “illegal marijuana” in Humboldt, and “code enforcement” was not done there, since there were few inspectors and tens of thousands of illegal structures and just as many Pirate Dope Farms…

Calling these people innocent property buyers seems disingenuous, but if you want to change existing law, making it a huge outlay of resources for a county with few Attorneys on staff, may actually work…

Code Enforcement should be for unpermitted structures, actually inspected.
As far as Marijuana Laws, there should be direct evidence of unpermitted cultivation, collected recently, from current owners. Period.

They can make you tear something down, but the property should not be able to get through title, until the previous owner mitigates the problem.

If folks are buying direct, for cash, and doing simple transfers of title, I can see how this all got started.

Making Pot legal has created a whirlwind of bad processes, but the folks who got rich growing Humboldt and then bailed, even foreclosed properties have to be re-titled, and sellers should be held responsible, if their whereabouts are known…

One more case where sensible application of local law was possible, but not enacted by the ridiculous assortment of corrupt and incompetent paid representatives, also known as Humboldt County Supervisors, Planning Department and many County Employees, who are pretty much all related to or friends of someone who occupies a spot on the payroll…

I hope for change, but expect settlements and dodging-the-blame…

Good luck with that Class-Action Suit that you plan to finance through donations…

Legallettuce
Guest
1 year ago

We are donating!

Abolish Income Tax
Guest
Abolish Income Tax
1 year ago

Its The war on the people

Nichole norris
Guest
Nichole norris
1 year ago

Please get up to speed and read the previous articles, particularly “punished for another’s crimes” and “building for rich people,” thanks.

Kym Kemp
Admin
1 year ago
Reply to  Bill

My apologies. We thought we would have several hours this morning to edit. But then things changed. And we put this out quickly. We’ve removed the doubled paragraph. Nonetheless this is an important subject and we felt a longer article was justified.

Guest
Guest
Guest
1 year ago
Reply to  Kym Kemp

No apologies necessary, Kym.

The extra paragraph was just a minor inconvenience, in an extraordinary story.

An outstanding article, and great news as well.

🤔🧐I found it especially readable.🙂

Xebeche
Guest
Xebeche
1 year ago
Reply to  Kym Kemp

I have shared this article widely. It is a local issue for local people but the implications are huge. Not only Humboldt has codes & and enforcers that are abusive, extortive & out of control. This is of national importance.
Thank you Kym, you are a journalistic ROCK STAR

Kym Kemp
Admin
1 year ago
Reply to  Xebeche

Nikki wrote this. I just published this and the other articles.

Bill
Guest
Bill
1 year ago
Reply to  Kym Kemp

Kym and Nichole,
I think you are both doing important journalism, and agree that at times it involves an exhaustive amount of detail.
I laud you for including all detail that is vital to the subject.
However, I think the longer the piece is, the greater the importance of scrupulous editing. Never easy at 3 AM!
Time constraints are the enemy and closely tethered companion of ephemeral journalism.
The dreaded deadline!

If it is any consolation, I complain about other publications like the New York Times, Trinity Journal, and the Redding Wretched Flashlight as well.
I also sometimes edit myself to the point of deletion. I almost did before I sent my missive.
Sorry if I offended you. Thanks for doing what you do. I encourage you to do better even if it doesn’t sound that way.
P.S. I’ll proof read for you if you want!

Kym Kemp
Admin
1 year ago
Reply to  Bill

You didn’t offend me. I wish I had magically had more time to edit.

Nichole norris
Guest
Nichole norris
1 year ago
Reply to  Bill

Hi I absolutely agree my editing could have been better on this story that I’ve been investigating for almost five years. Problem is, the filing date/time kept changing and I just got the suit last night. I am also a single mother with limited childcare, so I did the best I could in an hour pre filing to edit with my wonderful editor who was overworked as well. You can donate to make our lives easier, or just complain, your choice.

willow creeker
Member
1 year ago

Maybe I missed it- but is there any mention of refunding abatements fees? That would be justice.

willow creeker
Member
1 year ago
Reply to  willow creeker

After re-reading, I see that it is a ‘forward looking’ lawsuit, seeking to stop future abatements. Well, I’m not a lawyer, so I’m not sure how or if this lawsuit could later be used to attempt to recoup all of our bullshit fines that we have already paid. THAT would be a stimulus this county could use.
I’m pretty sure there aren’t many people growing illegally anymore anyway, more due just to market forces than anything else.

Farce
Guest
Farce
1 year ago
Reply to  willow creeker

Ha ha! There is no money left!

The Real Brian
Member
1 year ago

Fuck. Yes.

Stupid Humboldt execs and their stupid for-profit scheme-program are gonna cost their county bigly now.

Reelection is gonna be tougher…

Last edited 1 year ago
Hayforker
Guest
Hayforker
1 year ago
Reply to  The Real Brian

Thankfully trinity BOS can’t get their shit together enough to even try this sort of thing.

What!?D
Member
What!?
1 year ago
Reply to  The Real Brian

Guess who’s gonna pay for it?

Hayforker
Guest
Hayforker
1 year ago
Reply to  What!?

Tax payers who voted the BOS into office? Elections have consequences.

Lou Monadi
Guest
Lou Monadi
1 year ago

Great job Nichole! I personally think there should be monetary compensation (or in woke terms- reparations) to the victims, attached to the lawsuit. It looks like even if the Institute for Justice prevails, we will still have to privately file suit against the county which will be costly and difficult for those of us that have already been wiped out financially. I still think this is a step in the right direction to prevent future unlawful abatements

Hayforker
Guest
Hayforker
1 year ago
Reply to  Lou Monadi

Why are they not seeking a return of the fines paid???

Guest
Guest
Guest
1 year ago
Reply to  Hayforker

First things first.

Establish unconstitutionality.

After having done that…

Seek restitution.

Thanks for proving our point!D
Member

Haha yessssssssssss!!! Got em!!✊ all power to the people, all the time

Call and say thanks
Guest
Call and say thanks
1 year ago

I encourage everyone to call or write the Institute for Justice and thank them for doing this.
They need to know we support and appreciate their efforts.

7036829320
https://ij.org/about-us/contact-us/

We are not going down without a fight.
Im beyond grateful to see this.

Hang in there local sohum businesses, we are gonna swing this back around and rise anew!

And a huge shout out THANK YOU to our brave local citizens who this suit was filed on behalf of. Kudos!!!! We owe you.
🙏🙏🙏

Last edited 1 year ago
Giant Squirrel
Guest
Giant Squirrel
1 year ago

Commodity prices won’t really support “we are gonna swing this back around and rise anew!” Even if abatement procedures are modified.

Middleground
Guest
Middleground
1 year ago

Absolutely beautiful work may Justice be served to the regulators profiting off of others misery.
And may those who voted in favor be voted out. Change is happening!

Arctostaphylos
Guest
Arctostaphylos
1 year ago

I don’t endorse the way that the planning department has implemented the abatement policy, but I’d be curious to hear more info on the sellers of these properties who seem to have dodged their responsibilities and not disclosed previous abatements or unpermitted structures, thus transferring liability to the new buyers. Also, I think that any real estate agents or consultants involved should be discussed. Were there ever permit applications on these sites?

In the case of Blu Graham, growing produce for the restaurant makes sense and should be commended. Merely having greenhouses should not be treated as evidence of cultivation. In person inspection should determine that.

Last edited 1 year ago
Hayforker
Guest
Hayforker
1 year ago
Reply to  Arctostaphylos

If the sellers knew and didn’t disclose then it’s a civil matter without basis for class action.

Extorted
Guest
Extorted
1 year ago

The chickens have finally come home to roost

Guest
Guest
Guest
1 year ago
Reply to  Extorted

What goes around, comes around…

What did the supervisors say about increasing the abatement fines from $100 a day to $10,000 a day???

Wasn’t it , “it’s gotta hurt”???

I wish I could remember who exactly said that…

As I recall, it was Bohn, and/or Wilson was involved as well, if I am not mistaken…

Would it be wrong to hope that it bites them on the ass now, and that “it’s gotta hurt”???

Last edited 1 year ago
HotCoffee
Guest
HotCoffee
1 year ago

Am I misremembering, or didn’t the Grand Jury complain about the accounting of the money receipts last year?

Bozo
Guest
Bozo
1 year ago

Guys (and gals) don’t get it. THIS is going to be the dope harvest of the future.

Silage-cutting2435432353.jpg
Giant Squirrel
Guest
Giant Squirrel
1 year ago
Reply to  Bozo

If it’s concentrates then why not?

Hayforker
Guest
Hayforker
1 year ago
Reply to  Giant Squirrel

Looks like you’ll have lots of chlorophyll to separate out from that mush.

TDog
Guest
TDog
1 year ago

THESE DAMN NUNS GROWING FOOD NEED TO LEARN OUR COUNCIL MEMBERS ARE NOT, NOT, NOT, GOING TO ALLOW THIS…………..EVERRRRRRRRRRRRRR!!!

Nono
Guest
Nono
1 year ago

I hope the old timers on wilder ridge see this. They got abated for a greenie full of tomatoes. Had to take a picture with a daily paper. Straight up stazi shit.

Uri
Guest
Uri
1 year ago

I have and never will be a fan of poor stewardship of the land. Some of these grows historically have been horrible so I won’t defend those. With that said these stories are yet another clear indicator of the abuse and misuse of the County resources.

Outside Looking In
Guest
Outside Looking In
1 year ago

The Tree Of Liberty looks to be getting a bit dry in Humboldt.

Danny
Guest
Danny
1 year ago

Humboldt has been trying to do this type of thing for years! They were trying it in the late 80’s. They wanted to start fining for code violations! I.E non- working porch lights. Yards in disarray. Anything they thought they could profit on! Humboldt county is crooked!

Pepperwood
Guest
Pepperwood
1 year ago

Maybe there is a God. But the county should have to pay

Weir screwed
Guest
Weir screwed
1 year ago
Reply to  Pepperwood

Wiers Joe Rogan or someone to bring it to National Attention.

Grumpy
Guest
Grumpy
1 year ago

FYI TCSO has been doing code violations for the last week in Wildwood and Hayfork areas today Morgan Hill road.

Hayforker
Guest
Hayforker
1 year ago
Reply to  Grumpy

Yep, but those are visually confirmed violations, not satellite image based. Saxon wanted a satellite program but the grant money was denied.

Cetan Bluesky
Guest
Cetan Bluesky
1 year ago

Empty buildings in Gville are empty due to being out of compliance with the health dept. The black mold situation is why they are empty. The building’s ownership has failed to maintain them. Has nothing to do with anything else.

Bill
Guest
Bill
1 year ago
Reply to  Cetan Bluesky

Black mold?
Another cudgel used by apparatchiks to further the agenda.
Hyampom School was closed under the guise of black mold. It was no longer useful to the business model of the district (which subsumed it in a popular vote for unification).
As long as we don’t use it as a school, it is now ours again, for $100.
Black mold was the excuse to close it.
Very handy. You can find it, literally anywhere you look.

Hayforker
Guest
Hayforker
1 year ago
Reply to  Bill

They torn down parts of Hayfork, Weaverville, and I think burnt ranch schools for the same issue.

farmer
Guest
farmer
1 year ago

Seriously thank you. I’ve know of four people who have died. Taken their own lives because of either being abated or charged an astronomical amount in fees to get permitted. F the planning department

Weir screwed
Guest
Weir screwed
1 year ago
Reply to  farmer

Flabbergasted, Get some Celiberties, evolved, MoM and PoP Aid 2022. Weir is the Politicans, Protests, and Petitions.

Dude
Guest
Dude
1 year ago

I hope these idiot planners and soul-crushing county administrators get what’s coming to them.

HUMBOLDT HIGHLIGHTS
Member
HUMBOLDT HIGHLIGHTS
1 year ago

BRILLIANT ARTICLE!!! Absolute game changing reporting and activism done right by Nichole Norris!!! ALL medical marijuana growers, cottage industry recreational growers, mom and pop farmers and rural communities across the country owe her mountains of gratitude for helping bring to light this injustice and sparking this lawsuit into action!!! Humboldt County rural communities and growers in particular should beyond grateful and seriously consider donating to her kickstarter fund to help support her tireless reporting efforts. She is a independent journalist that does this without pay from the goodness of her heart, soul and mind for humanity and justice for ALL!!! HELP STOP this ILLEGAL LAND GRAB!!! #Humboldt #County #Cannabis #Class #Action #Lawsuit

It’s already game over
Guest
It’s already game over
1 year ago

Great get rid of the abatements right when everyone is going out of business. If Honsal thinks the 75% number still going and he over shooting just wait til next season. The hills are empty. People are closing up shop. Most of these grows are powered by gas and diesel. Guess what the price of fuels and supplies have skyrocketed and the price of weed lbs has plummeted. This equals going out of business for almost every humboldt county farmer. The only ones left are the ones too dumb to realize it’s time to quit and the handful of elite profitable and savvy operators. It’s game over for the humboldt county farmer.
Side note these code enforcement individuals should be ashamed of themselves. The way they have treated fellow community members is horrifying. The bos should have never allowed this illegal cash grab to happen.

Country Joe
Member
1 year ago

I told everyone I know not to support Proposition 64 because when the government get involved we’re all screwed each and every time. I still maintain my small ecologically safe organic grow, for myself and a few Vet friends suffering from PTSD. This year it’s Jealous and Wedding Cake… Happy Harvest to all…

Hayforker
Guest
Hayforker
1 year ago
Reply to  Country Joe

Prop 64 was gonna pass without emerald triangle support. Once it did pass you gotta adapt or get out. Waterboard, CDFW and CalFire were already coming since 2014. I don’t like govt involvement, but it’s not something we could change anymore than most acts of nature.

Growing six plants ain’t so bad since our climate atleast allows it to happen out doors.

LGR
Guest
LGR
1 year ago

Abatement notices are based off of unpermitted structures, grading and development. With or without cannabis, The majority of those abated still built or graded or cleared land without the proper permits. I They don’t need evidence other than satellite imagery to prove that. If they are not for cannabis, prove it, and get them permitted. Please go after distressed trashy properties with the same impunity. I don’t think the county should hire code enforcement from the overzealous ex LE pool either…

Just a Guy
Guest
Just a Guy
1 year ago
Reply to  LGR

Not sure where your going with this. If they expanded the scope beyond cannabis half the buildings in the county would be suspect. They tried this multiple times over the last 40 years and have never United the county more. This County is In the BUST part of the familiar Boom and Bust history we have. Going after a community when they are down will lead to more suicides, homeless, and drug use than even now. The point of the lawsuit is the county strategy of threatening people with financial ruin people, who had little or nothing to do with cannabis, without proof is against the Constitution of the United States.

Nichole norris
Guest
Nichole norris
1 year ago
Reply to  LGR

You’d actually be surprised how many abatement recipients are charged a grading violation for logging legacies. Even if there is evidence of logging , even if code enforcement acknowledges the grading happened due to logging, people still have to get an engineer and often retroactive permits again for the logging legacy. See one of my last articles “buildings for rich people.” There is an email from Warren black to rhonda olson saying she has to resolve the logging legacy because years prior to her purchase someone grew cannabis there.

Hayforker
Guest
Hayforker
1 year ago
Reply to  Nichole norris

I am completely amazed people put up with this racket for so long. Absolute tragedy.

Fndrbndr
Guest
Fndrbndr
1 year ago
Reply to  Nichole norris

Employed a different tactic on us. Said we grew in the wrong spot. Backed it up by saying we were over sqft for our greatest year. The spot we grew in had been grown for 3 years previous and was part of the cav survey. That survey was submitted 3 years previous to the 10k fine. So they basically allowed us to grow there for three years then later fined us for their own incompetence. Then they agreed to a fine reduction 2k minus. When I went to pay the bill they claimed they didn’t remember reducing the fine. I had to reproduce the agreement and they finally settled. All in all this stopped further advancement of the permit for two years and we weren’t allowed to grow during that period.

Blu
Guest
Blu
1 year ago
Reply to  Nichole norris

Worin black likes to blackmail

Just a Guy
Guest
Just a Guy
1 year ago

I hope your out in the bush, harvesting your crop, maybe staying in a tent guarding it like the old days Farce. I thought for sure you would have commented by now.

Hayforker
Guest
Hayforker
1 year ago
Reply to  Just a Guy

Haha yeah so he could tell us: I warned everyone or if people had just done what I said , on and on…A true modern Nostradamus!

It can’t be easy to be old and bitter. Let’s hope he on a vacation or something as I doubt he’s actually changed. When you’re that old and stuck in your ways, change is impossible.

Farce
Guest
Farce
1 year ago
Reply to  Hayforker

I was staying out because this comment section is very messy on this article. But since Hayforker wants to call me out and insult me well…here I am. Hayforker is a consultant and made money encouraging people to sign up for permits, right? I consider the consultants as one part of the problem. It doesn’t take a Nostradamus to see where this was headed from way back. Consultants who made money encouraging and enabling folks to get into a rigged and doomed system were either ignorant, greedy or both. “You’re almost there just a little more money” was their slogan. Ha ha!
My heart goes out to all small outlaw growers who suffered from these abatements. The abatements were cruel and corrupt attacks on members of our community.I’ve called out John Ford, Estelle and Rex numerous times in these comments. I never encouraged anybody to give them a dollar. I’ve only encouraged resistance at all times to this corrupt system. But guess what? I’m not bitter! I’m happy just to be here and I hope you are too! Am I old? Hmm…that is said by Hayforker in a way that insults and disrespects all elders and matured voices of experience. You should look to those who are older for perspective, not disregard their age because you are jealous of their acquired knowledge! Weird thing to say, Hayforker, but you let it slip and now we know how you think. “Old” is a discredit in your mind. Okay, Boy Know-it-all…
Nicole has done a great job. Kym has presented some great articles. They should be commended! They have both served us and our community very well here. Thank You!!!♥️

Hayforker
Guest
Hayforker
1 year ago
Reply to  Farce

Oh yes, not only a future visionary, but now a know it all. You claim to know who I am while never meeting and consistently misunderstanding my comments.

Old has nothing specifically to with a particular age. It’s a mind set and anyone past their teenage years is subject to it. Maybe your name is farce for some reason other than to display a displeasure with the way things have gone. Probably not. When the world changes and you don’t change with it, well people get grumpy. It’s common to see the older in age someone is. For all I know you are younger than me, but your attitude is much older.

I look forward to change around me and keeping up with it keeps me young. It’s a shame the triangle has evolved to the current state but this is beyond anyone or groups control. You’ve consistently suggested if people had rejected prop 64, rejected licensing, rejected the change which was inevitably coming then this would be different today. That’s delusional and indicative of a grumpy old mindset.

I am happy to see you did manage to provide some positive comments at the end. Good job, I think even old dogs can learn new tricks when they want to.

With Love
Guest
With Love
1 year ago

The “Queen of Abatement” Estelle Fennell should be remembered and acknowledged here.

With Love
Guest
With Love
1 year ago
Reply to  With Love

Lest we forget! I never will.

jd
Member
jd
1 year ago

2 yrs ago my friends had the new camp show up at their property, they were in the area hitting everyone. They said they had satellite pics of a greenhouse they gave them a abatement letter right then on the spot , there was no greenhouse it was a trampoline for their kids which they showed the officers. They still had to pay like $400 because the cops came to their property. It makes absolutely no sense except in the aspect of the county trying to strangle every dollar it can out of its people. Power left unchecked and unregulated will always be corrupt, they have had to answer to no one about what they are doing . The only time supervisor stood up for anyone was for big time wealthy friends.

abcdefg
Guest
abcdefg
1 year ago

I know from inside sources that there are a TON of inaccuracies in this article. Nichole has documents in hand that disprove some of what she’s saying. A lot of the numbers are wrong and stories are twisted. So either this is really bad/ biased journalism or intentional false reporting to sway public opinion. Regardless of who’s right or wrong, get the facts straight. Redheaded Blackbelt is one of the most biased news agencies in Humboldt for obvious reasons. Oh, they want to tear down cannabis enforcement – shocking!! It’s good to question government and authority but there are definitely two sides to every story – especially in this case where such one sided – often false reporting is happening from such a biased agency…I wonder who donates to Redheaded Blackbelt…If you want to automatically assume that Government is to blame – I get it. But, I would also take these stories with a huge grain of salt.

Kym Kemp
Admin
1 year ago
Reply to  abcdefg

Please, if there are inaccuracies, please let us know. To the best of my knowledge, everything we posted is accurate.

Shortjohnson
Guest
Shortjohnson
1 year ago
Reply to  Kym Kemp

Such bold statements from someone who goes by abcdef. Oh and g.

Corporate Serfdom
Guest
Corporate Serfdom
1 year ago
Reply to  abcdefg

There is no justification for a government that preys on its citizens, local ,state or federal

What we have here is blunt force trauma inflicted by a group of people above the law.

Nichole norris
Guest
Nichole norris
1 year ago
Reply to  abcdefg

Kym kemp’s site is not bias, it’s bias to deny this important story to our community for years, which is what other outlets have done.

How exactly is it inaccurate? I would love to know. If you have insider information is it possible you are getting misinformation? The institute for justice analyzed the data (sort of important to get right for the federal lawsuit), uc Berkley cannabis Research center analyzed the data. I have records requests and they substantiate the data. Please click on the status pie chart description (we meant to add in initially) for a detailed list of where the data comes from regarding abatement case status.

I just taught myself how to make pie charts and it absolutely could have been easier to understand, but nothing is inaccurate and if it is do share please so it can be corrected. [email protected]

Giant Squirrel
Guest
Giant Squirrel
1 year ago
Reply to  abcdefg

I’ll bet 95%+ of county abatements are/were illicit cannabis operations which is what the BoS directed, right?

Guest
Guest
Guest
1 year ago
Reply to  Giant Squirrel

So you are ok with unconstitutional
searches and seizures, exorbitant, unconstitutional fines, and basically hanging a group that 5%, or 1 out of 20, are innocent?

The punishment doesn’t fit the crime.

Last edited 1 year ago
Nichole norris
Guest
Nichole norris
1 year ago
Reply to  Giant Squirrel

I actually have a good picture of the recipients having worked in a cannabis law office and reporting on hundreds of abatement cases, and no 95% guilt is WAY off. Did you read my last article about code enforcement misinterpreting medial cannabis laws? I know of several legitimate medical farmers who were abated. Hard to follow laws no one seems to know for certain you know?

Nunya
Guest
1 year ago
Reply to  Nichole norris

Nichole, Thank you for your in-depth reporting on this issue. Humboldt County cultivators, and non-cultivators alike, should thank you for bringing this issue to light. Regardless of the subject, the corruption within or perhaps the lack of information provided to these vital offices, within our county is appalling! Shame, Shame, Shame on them!!!!
And, I’m sorry but I cant help but feel as if they DID know better and chose NOT to act accordingly. That’s just me though…

Nichole norris
Guest
Nichole norris
1 year ago
Reply to  Nunya

Thanks nunya!

ED Denson
Guest
ED Denson
1 year ago
Reply to  abcdefg

Hey anonymous person with insider information not disclosed in your attack on the accuracy of Nichole’s article. Don’t be surprised if no one believes you until you reveal your sources and what makes them reliable. If you have an employee of the Code Enforcement Unit, let them step forward and boldly state the truth and show us the documents or other witnesses to allow us to decide if this is credible information. After all there is a law suit, so if the truth is not as Nichole stated, it will come out in public testimony. Save the county a ton of money and the energy of defending against a huge lawsuit by showing us all now that there is credible information that will blow the suit, and this article, out of the water.
Kym can defend herself, but I work as a lawyer with cases involving cannabis all the time and have for almost a quarter of a century. The first news source I turn to for cannabis and the police is Redheaded Blackbelt. Ofen she prints the cops press releases. Are those biased? Face it,you get the information you need right here if you want to know about cannabis and the law.

ED Denson

Jay Beigh
Guest
Jay Beigh
1 year ago
Reply to  abcdefg

//”I wonder who donates to Redheaded Blackbelt”//

I do. Proudly.

Fndrbndr
Guest
Fndrbndr
1 year ago
Reply to  Jay Beigh

Wish I could, we are bankrupt.

PV Guest
Guest
PV Guest
1 year ago
Reply to  abcdefg

abcdefg – please provide the counter points to where the article is not accurate. Otherwise you are just trolling the discussion & that is a waste of time.

KillDozer
Guest
KillDozer
1 year ago

Does anyone remember the guy in Colorado who built a reinforced bulldozer and took down half the town because of government overreach like this? Food for thought. Hope IJ wins big.

The Chad
Guest
The Chad
1 year ago

Sonoma and Mendocino County need to be addressed herein.

Julian
Guest
Julian
1 year ago

If not mistaken, anyone may submit a claim in a federal court at the federal building (in San Francisco) as well as on a court of record, as all courts on California as per the 1849(organic) and 1879 (codified) constitutions, when one does due process and gives notice to a government official, in good faith, he or she has completed court through the post office. Come back home to the land, make declarations to refute any presumptions of one’s true political status from that of a 14th amendment US citizen who is subject to the 13th amendment where slavery is allowed under certain conditions, and retain your status as an American state national, we all can help eachother by doing this service to self. Thank you for reading.

Julian
Guest
Julian
1 year ago

Do please correct if wrong in any way regarding content, as for punctuation, it’s intentional, might not be perfectly done but definitely intentional, without any notion of it being wrong. Upon reading of the action made and presented creating a court in a sence by the claimants assisted and council provided by folks from the Institut for Justice and Pillsbury, to be overseen by federal district court, it appears to be showing an example of making a legal case or lawfull claim, that anyone claiming to be a U.S. citizen or any one declared an American State National, might do at any time having made proper documented due process has the opportunity to provide legal remedy or lawfull relief to a trespass by way of theft, by way of debit, by color of law of any agency, agent, man, woman, anyone acting as agent, in their official capacity or without, we so often forget, government is established and employed by those whom it serves, they created it right? if we recall words and action a declaration by a people against tyrannical actions made by a soverign monarch, they created a government they then controlled, then they let it get away, and it got so far way that thevpeopl forgot, so pointing a finger at government, may actually be best when it is towards ones oneself, the employer of that government, the owner or owners (you), they haven’t given appropriate directions or the guidance or corrections and notice to those employees and if necessary, to their superiors, directly, many folk here may have managed pieces of the due process on an employee (agent), possibly far more than you realize, keeping good faith and honor, however might be the failing point gleaned by observing horizontal attacks in this thread of comments, the attacks have the capacity to be an act preformed for your benifit to keep heart and mind occupied with bad faith, keepin one inclined to talk about people (sometimes called small mind), as opposed to discussing events (average mind?), or sharing ideas (great mind!); let’s use this class action as one example we might use as a tool or to create a tool, to do our due diligence in at least one actual roll on governing: retaining the enumerated…and definitely those unenumerated (not yet named) unalienable, constitutionally guaranteed, creator granted, rights…and learing and educating ourselves and family and most important the neighbors, regardless of whether we like them or not, they are our neighbors and sometimes standing up for someone else’s right to freedom of/to ___________(fill in the blank), checks ones ownself of any double standard; by example government has at least that to start with.

Julian
Guest
Julian
1 year ago

Did anyone notice that proposition 215 is something people on California voted into law (as opposed to legislated by representation), and it is reinforcement of private law, in a sence it is like an amendment for a constitution, enumerating a right, a right to privacy (to be left alone), a rule dictated to a government that is public, to not intermingle those two jurisdictions nor coerce one to intermingle jurisdictions, next question could be: is private law supra to public law? What are differences in public vs private law?