LOTS OF QUESTIONS ABOUT SANTA CRUZ COUNTY SHERIFF'S RAIDS

Jim Coffis

In the wake of the latest County raids of private property in the Santa Cruz Mountains lots of speculation but few answers.

The newly formed Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office Marijuana Compliance Team conducted raids of at least 15 cannabis cultivation operations outside of Boulder Creek on Thursday, destroying dozens or more plants at over 15 locations.

Calvin Men in the Santa Cruz Sentinel:
http://www.santacruzsentinel.com/general-news/20150814/thousands-of-plants-seized-in-boulder-creek-marijuana-raid

Thursday's actions were conducted in relatively easily accessible, contiguous family neighborhoods, From fifteen to twenty or more personnel were involved, not all local, for about 8 hours.  Fifteen or more separate operations were disrupted.  Many of the growers I spoke with and saw had some number of plants they were allowed to keep.

The shifting relationship between cannabis cultivators and Santa Cruz County Government has been seismic of late and the recent rebuff of proposed new restrictions by citizen's referendum seems to have escalated indiscriminate enforcement of dubious legal claim.

Much more to come.