LE only please, Marijuana cultivation in my back yard...

Question

Hey there... I am a Deputy Sheriff and am torn what to do in this situation. A couple months ago my neighbors planted a garden and then built a bamboo and mesh fence around the back side of it that faces my yard..I thought this was odd. I work 12 hour shifts and get home just before dark and don't spend alot of time in my back yard on my days off... busy with my 2 yr old. Anyway, I was off yesterday so I took some time out to hop in my pool. Walking back to go in, I noticed movement so I looked up and saw about 8 Marijuana plants, approx. 7ft tall growing in my neighbors garden because the have outgrown the corn. My situation is.. I don't know what to do. It is a felony to grow them.. however, they may have a medicinal license. Should I just wait to see them and ask and tell them if not they have a few a days to get rid of them or do I call the S.O. in this county (I work in a diff. one) The problem is, I don't want them causing me any problems for calling the cops. But at the same time, my conscience wont let it go. What would you do? I don't want my vehicles vandalized or my animals poisoned.

Answer 1

If you're a cop you should know it's your sworn duty to uphold the law.

Call the cops on your neighbors.

Answer 2

Sorry, buddy.

If you have to ask this question on YA, you probably need to consider a career change.

If I was in your shoes, I'd be contacting my narcotics division and let them pursue the neighbors.

Answer 3

Call the sheriff who has jurist diction off the record and let him desided.

its tough but I would tell them you have to call because if anyone found out you could lose your job.

that will give them enough time to deside if they want to fight it or get ride of it

Answer 4

I'll confess to finding myself wondering if you are really a deputy sheriff.  I don't know what the purpose of posting this would be if you aren't, but this isn't rocket science and even a rookie should be able to figure this one out without seeking advice on Yahoo, of all places.

No one has to have a medical "license" to grow marijuana in California (in fact, there's no such thing which is one of the reasons I find myself wondering...).  A person needs only the oral or written recommendation from a physician.  Point being, they may not have anything in writing that says they can grow and may still be perfectly legal.  

As a law enforcement officer, you should know there are ways to prevent the identify of a source from being discovered.  If not, talk to the local narcs.

You want to email me, I'd be more than happy to help you out...no matter who you are.  

Answer 5

You're a cop! Have them arrested! I hope you are not really a deputy and asking this question. This is a felony offense and you don't know what to do? I'm sorry...if you're worried about people causing you problems, you're in the wrong line of work.

Don't police your nieghbors but just call it in. You're LE so you should know who to call.

They can't grow their own marijuana!

Answer 6

Come on, girl...

If they built a fence ONLY on your side, it was so they could block your view of their illegal activities. If, on the other hand, they have built this fence around the entire perimeter, it is possible that they are simply trying to protect their investment from possible thieves and teenagers, and they really are legitimate medicinal marijuana users/growers.

I say, if the fence is only blocking your view, call the cops and report it anonymously. If the fence circles the perimeter, I suggest you leave it alone.  

Answer 7

I really wouldn't mind it, medical or not. If there causing a lot of problems for you its a diffrent story. I know you said Law enforcement only, Im not a police officer now I want to become a cop later on. But really a lot of cannabis growers and even a lot of weed dealers aren't really "gangsters" or whatever the h**l there depicted in movies or on the news. I say don't really worry about it, there not really hurting anyone.  

Answer 8

Isnt it enough to be hated on the clock? Dont ruin peoples lives off the clock, it only makes you look like more of a tool.

Answer 9

i don't think a normal non- police person can tell you what to do.

If this was me I wouldn't care because I think marijuana should be legalized or even decriminalized would be a start too. Since your a sheriff but sound slightly chill for a law enforcement official I would just let them know that you saw the plants and give them a few days to do whatever with them regards to their situation (medicinal license etc). As much as I hate the law and I personally would leave these people alone, I think if your a sheriff you kind obligated to acknowledge the situation......

Answer 10

If they have a medical license they are totally legal. Nothing you or anyone can do. The government gave out the licenses to sick people or people to help other sick ones. Leave them alone.

Answer 11

I take it you don't know these yahoos. I guess in this situation, everyone just has to roll their own (so to speak). I suppose it kind of depends on how you feel about the dope. And, if you call it in and they have a medical license, no harm, no foul. What I would do isn't the issue, because I'm me and you're you and I'm where I am, and you might be in some whiny place where they'd think they could pull something and get away with it without fearing undiluted h**l coming down on them. If they're otherwise reasonable enough folks, I might consider making a little visit and explaining that it was perhaps not the best idea to grow big ole dope plants across the fence where I couldn't help but see them and that it might be wise to make it go away before I was obliged to do something about it. I don't get all that excited about a little dope, and I might just tell them, "Gee, guys. Be discrete, for God's sake."  

Answer 12

If are a deputy sheriff, you wouldn't have to ask this question...especially not here.

Answer 13

I'm beginning to wonder if you're for real as well. This is a no-brainer, I have no idea how the California laws work in regards to Marijuana for "medicinal" purposes(I personally feel it's a BS excuse for stoners to get keep getting high). The only way to find out is to let the local LEO agency know about it and let them take it from there. if they supposedly have a "license" then there is no problem.

But consider the reality that they don't have a "license" and it's an illegal growing operation. It's happening right under your nose and you are sitting there doing nothing because you're more worried about having the neighbors mad at you rather than meeting the obligation that comes with being a Law Enforcement Officer.

Do you really think they have the same consideration for you? Because if you don't do anything, the only one looking bad will be you.

  

  

Answer 14

first of all. DO they have a medicinal license? do they have a record of drug charges at all?

and if you do happen to get them for the weed, keep in mind that they may claim they built the fence so people wouldn't suspect them of illicit activities where in fact they are growing it for perfectly legal purposes.

meh. i dunno the laws in your area but these are just some tips.

also, just inform somebody above you where you work and ask them for advice. but beware, your neighbors will hate you forever if they get it in trouble because of it.

and shouldn't you know this kind of stuff? I mean, there are many direct sources you can ask and you waste five points on this question in which you ask people inexperienced in LE about something like this.

Answer 15

I am not familiar with the medical use law in CA.  If they can grow their own due to medical reasons, then you should speak to them about it, as a neighbor.  

If they do not have the required license, then let them know that you are required by law to do something about it or you can lose your job.  They already know you are LE, you bring the car home.  It is considered dereliction of duty if you observe a felony, on or off duty, and fail to act.  

Just make sure they know you are going to give them a few days to correct the situation.  

You cannot live in fear.

Good luck and stay safe.

Answer 16

Well first of all, a law enforcer living next to someone growing an illegal substance doesn't look too good. However, you should approach your neighbor and ask about the pot then read the law regarding growing illegal substances on private property. If your neighbor doesn't meet the requirements, then the law has to be enforced by the enforcer, that's you.

Answer 17

Any LEO would know what to do and if you don't, you have supervisors that you can go to and ask for advice.

Answer 18

I think you should mind your own business. If they are fenced in on their lawn it is not going to hurt your animals. What would make you think they are vandals? Have they ever vandalized any of your property before? I think that you just want to bust them because you are a cop and they have illegal substances.  

Answer 19

If they don't have a lot of people coming and going, like they are selling. I would let it go.

Answer 20

You have to turn them in. You swore an oath to protect the citizens, and by not turning them in you are breaking that oath. Being LE isnt a 9-5 job where you can go home and not worry about it. Also, as LE you should know to contact the SO for the county. You can remain annyomous. What if someone else finally makes a complain, and the SO comes out and notices your sheriff's squad parked in your driveway with a visible clear view of the plants growing above the fence? That isn't going to look good on your part. I understand that you want to be a good neighbor and you have having difficulties reasoining between your professional life and personal life, but its something you have to learn.  

Answer 21

What you should do is remove this discussion from the internet.

Being a Deputy Sheriff, I think you would be screwed if someone found out who you are and that you failed to report this.

I would just look the other way and pretend I never saw it.

But, now that you posted about it:

I would delete this discussion, then inform your neighbors that you saw it and talk to your neighbors in a way that neither incriminates them or yourself:

"I saw a plant in your backyard that resembles marijuana. You should know that you need medical permission to possess it."

People with the right access can dig up a lot of dirt on you with the internet, i.e. the government.