Why is the wine industry welcomed with open arms and embraced while marijuana is condemned as the evil weed with its roots firmly planted in hell?
I read a study from UCSF that stated little harm was caused to the human body with moderate use of marijuana; only a slight increase of lung capacity was noted. A glass or two of wine with dinner is good in many ways, a bottle or two a night weighs heavy on the body over the years. Brandy, the more potent wine, is nothing more than the hashish of the wine industry.
Exactly what is hashish or as law enforcement calls it, concentrated marijuana? As the cannabis flower matures prism-like mushroom-shaped resin glands protrude from the flower. Once dry and in cold temperature, bang the flower lightly with a pencil above any non-porous surface and you will notice a light dust appear. Gather it up and compress it. That is hashish. Why is that a more serious crime? Hashish is marijuana.
In Lake County we have about 10,000 acres of vineyards. The amount of marijuana is unknown, but I”m sure it is quite a bit less. Most responsible people grow less than 100 plants on one-quarter acre and look at it as a privilege not to be abused. A few bad apples will ruin it for the rest.
Then there is the effect on the ecosystem. Although I find vineyards beautiful year-round, I do realize the loss of our blue oak woodland, walnuts, Bartlett pears and lease of all the greasewood or chamease brush which left unattended is at best a fire hazard. Then there”s fertilizer, pesticide, herbicide and fungicide associated with vineyard production. With legal marijuana, most growers are totally organic using lady bugs and mantis” for pests but some use water-soluble fertilizer.
Depredation permits are often issued to vineyard managers to control wildlife around grapevines. I heard a story of a new vineyard killing 176 deer in a few months. If you are spending millions of dollars to establish a new vineyard, you must have the right to protect your investment. I can just see a group of animal rights activists sitting down to dinner discussing how best to stop the consumption of animals over a fine bottle of wine, not realizing the impact of the establishment of the vineyard has on the ecosystem and its wildlife.
Lake County”s weather has a positive effect on both. Then to harvest in the vineyard the sugar content is consistently checked as are marijuana”s resin glands for ripeness. Rain can play havoc with both and mold and mildew are a constant worry and smell. Vineyards are beautiful. I have never noticed any foul stench, but over at the winery during the crush, oh my. Grape pulp skins and stems piled up in the sun is as bad as marijuana”s Grand Dad Purple. Not all marijuana smells the same as it ripens and there are county codes in effect for wineries during the crush. One is fermented, the other dried and cured. Different but similar when they are enjoyed. The marijuana bud is viewed with a discriminating eye then crushed and the aroma is taken into account. Smoked, the taste is considered, then the effect.
Wine is uncorked and poured, color and aroma are judged then taste and effect. Well this simple man still in attendance at the college of hard knocks really cannot see the difference between the two. In no way, shape or form am I an expert in vineyard management, winemaking or marijuana cultivation. I support both for Lake County and California. Express your opinion and vote. I support Measure D if it is approved by our voters. If it fails, don”t be stupid. Law enforcement is always looking for something to do.
Joe G. Welz
Clearlake Oaks
