With the latest polls showing 52% of Californians in support of Prop. 19 the Tax and Regulate Marijuana initiative and only 36% against,* Humboldt has got to be proactive or we will not survive economically.  Hank Sims at the North Coast Journal took an in-depth look at Richard Lee and Oakland’s forward looking policy and concluded, “Oaksterdam is drinking our milkshake.” He’s right.  We, as a county, are not thinking far enough into the future.  We are not moving fast enough to evade the tidal wave of change that is bearing down on us.

Some local activists are attempting to build boats in order to pull the rest of us on board when the wave crashes around us.  But at this point, we aren’t doing enough to help them.  Like Noah’s neighbors, we are complacent even as the rumble of change thunders louder and louder.

When  all you growers sitting on your butts see the wave (hopefully before it is too late), there are things you can do.

First, join HuMMAP.**  Swell its ranks so that government can’t ignore you any longer.  Southern Humboldt’s Cliff Clendenen has yet to appear at one of the grower/government meetings that have been held this year in spite of the fact that marijuana is the number one source of Humboldt’s prosperity.

Second, Ellen Komp of NORML in co-sponsorship with HuMMAP has drafted an ordinance that will proactively put Humboldt County growers in the forefront of California’s marijuana growers.  Go here to look at it and comment.

Third, donate to HuMMAP.  They are trying to lobby officials NOW.  They are working to get out concerns of growers to officials and they are working to develop local laws that will respond to legalization in positive ways. (See Komp’s proposal above.)

Fourth, join a collective or form one yourself in order to, right now, make yourself more competitive in the medical marijuana arena.

Below the fold is one of my favorite local funny folks strips about the initiative just to make you smile. Check out more of their stuff by clicking on the photos.

States everywhere are getting on the bandwagon. Arizona has just voted to tax medical marijuana—this before it is legal. Humboldt exports a great deal of its weed.  As other states legalize or semi legalize cannabis, our market is going to be affected.

* There are large discrepancies in polls regarding Prop. 19; some think that this is the result of a reverse Bradley effect. See this excellent article for more information on why automated surveys may allow people to be more honest about their opinions when talking about a subject that has been stigmatized for generations such as marijuana.

**I’m a member.  I want to see this county prosper.  I remember the 60’s and the environmental and social devastation that we saw in the aftermath of the timber economy crash.