I know this is not fishing related, I thought you guys might find this interesting.

Humboldt County Sheriffs Department, Eureka, California
PRESS RELEASE.........

Early this morning Humboldt County Sheriff's Deputies arrested two men after finding them transporting 17 pounds of marijuana. At about 1 am a Sheriff's Sergeant conducted a traffic stop on Myrtle Ave, Eureka. A records check revealed the driver Robert Lightner, 27 of Arcata, had 5 outstanding bench warrants. The Sergeant arrested Lightner while a second deputy arrived. Lightners passenger, Michael Demko III, 36 of Mckinleyville was asked to step out of the vehicle, a pick up with a canopy. Deputies conducted a probation search of the truck. While searching the cargo area the deputies found a case containing a large amount of dried, processed marijuana bud. The marijuana was packaged inside 17 plastic bags each marked with its weight (1 pound) and the strain. A digital scale was also found. Both suspects were arrested for possession of marijuana for sales, and transportation of marijuana for sales. At the time Lightner was serving time on the Sheriff's Work Alternative Program and was ineligible to post bail. Demkos bail was set at $50,000.

Lame.

ouch

I find it inreseting that you would think any steelhead fishermen would find it interesting that some one got years in prision for some goddamn pot! Tisk Tisk!

Wow, those are not the responses I was expecting. Commercial cultivation of marijuana is effecting rivers, ie fishermen. Streams are dammed for irrigation. Diesel, and oil from generators leak into streams. Not to mention all the commercial fertilizers, and chemicals that are introduced into the water shed. Sorry if you think making a small dent in this problem is LAME.

pot is pretty popular in the fishing community
id expect those comments

+1, there is nothing wrong with a little Mary J from time to time....

Should have built the mexican wall long ago. Who do you think is doing the big outdoor operations?? Those guys names don't sound illegal to me??

I'm on the fence with this one....

Mf

What everyone's thoughts on pot are, doesn't matter to me.

It sounds like you did your job, and did it well. Congrats.

Great job.... Maybe they'll get a real job behind bars!

Keith

TyeeTerror, the fact you would post something like that and expect a different reaction is either an attempt to be funny or is a example of the the disconnect between some law enforcement and the general public. If you think you are going to save rivers by stopping pot growers, I've got a bridge to sell you. We had 4 officers tragically gunned down in this area recently, there are constant report on this site of property crimes, and most of us know people directly affected by violent crime. Start with those type of problems.

"There is a reason you don't have Mexican beer cartels planting fields of hops in the California forests," - Bruce Merken, Marijuana Policy Project

By the way, I don't honestly think you'll find many people on this site that are "anti-police". Most people are just looking at the "common sense" approach on this issue and, naturally, will oppose your position.

Pretty much all the issues of pollution, violence, etc disapear overnight when its legalized. Plus we would have a solid tax base and much more control over the product. So simple.

Kaiser, I respect the opinion of others. I was putting out there the connection between commercial marijuana cultivation and watershed pollution. I agree there are bigger issues with our rivers, but it is an issue none the less. Down here we have a considerable amount of crime associated with commercial marijuana cultivation. As an example, recently a man was murdered about 2 miles from my house during a marijuana home invasion. I oppose the commercial cultivation and sales of marijuana. Its a CRIME. In California it is legal to use Marijuana with a doctors recommendation, a law I voted for. I have lived in the community I police for my entire career, and feel very connected to my community. I encourage differing opinions, and enjoy the debate. A closed mind is a waste.

Dave, that's exactly whats being debated in California right now. I agree take the money out of it, and it will not be such a big problem. Right now its still a crime, and as a law enforcement officer, I don't have the right to choose what crimes I enforce. If I offended anyone with posting this arrest, I will apologize right now.

It's still illegal. Until the law gets changed, please keep enforcing the existing laws. I personally would prefer that smoking the crap be legalized. Have controlled planting, harvest, and distribution. Tax it till it hurts. Lock up and throw away the keys for anyone growing the stuff other than licensed growers. Let the users pay.

You need to watch marijuana inc. Humbolt Co. is one of the biggest producers. Everyone is growing it in their back yards. Some people want it gone and others want to know what will happen to the county if it does go.

Tyee, good work you are doing your job and Kudos to you...

Here in the NW I don't think it’s a water pollution gig. The bud we saw in Bellingham was top notch and from BC hydroponic plants. Those damn cows are a bigger deal up north as stated within this thread.

I did see the MSNBC story on NorCal pot operations and it is a big pollution deal. Giant generators in the middle of nowhere powering huge grow opps. Dumping oil and gas right into creeks and watersheds. Nasty.

Maybe we need to do what Amsterdam did years ago, accept the punishment for a couple years by legalizing drugs and prostitution and then enjoy the benefits in the long run, a society with less crime. Check out their crime logs and statistics in that country. After legalizing drugs and prostitution crime jumped and then dumped.

But then again, think about the ramifications and job loss of legalizing drugs here in the US. Mega job loss. The fight against drugs provides a lot of employment from lawyers to government growers.

I heard this little gem somewhere, "The trouble with pot use, is that it takes the boredom out of doing nothing...".

Maybe legalization is a step in the right direction, but it wouldn't hurt to try to keep it away from kids until they get old enough to take responsibility for pissing their time/opportunities away.

I would be on the fence too if I wasn't sitting on the couch staring into nothing eatting everything I can get my hands on
JD