Crime

Marin: Health staff urges addition of marijuana to list of prohibited substances

Published

8 years ago

June 12, 2017

The County of Marin first adopted a social host accountability ordinance in 2006 to help deter underage drinking, and now staff is proposing to add marijuana to the ordinance language plus further measures to reduce drug and alcohol use by minors.

If the ordinance amendment is adopted, party hosts would be liable and subject to fines even if the party location is a bus or limousine. Also, graduation from a restorative justice program would be mandated for all offenders under the age of 21.

The amendment received a first reading before the Marin County Board of Supervisors on June 6, and a merit hearing and subsequent Board vote is scheduled for 10 a.m. June 13.

The social host accountability ordinance holds adults responsible for underage use of alcohol and other controlled substances in their households whether or not the adults are present. The ordinance is designed to confront and mitigate the prevalent problem of underage drinking, drug use and loud or unruly gatherings at private residences or rented facilities.

Supported by more than a dozen local groups, the County strengthened its original social host accountability ordinance in February 2016 by adding controlled substances to the list of prohibitions. It also prohibited loud and unruly parties where controlled substances are served to, possessed by or ingested by people under the age of 21.

Marin has a national reputation as being one of the healthiest counties in the country, but also is known for as having an incredibly high rate of underage drinking and drug use.

“Parents want to know their kids are safe when they’re out with friends,” said Dr. Matt Willis, the County’s Public Health Officer. “Strengthening our social host ordinance sends an important signal that we all share responsibility for the safety of our kids. That’s especially important here in Marin, where our teen substance abuse and DUI rates are high. We’re fortunate our elected leaders and partners in law enforcement are taking a proactive approach to this public health problem.”

Law enforcement officials are allowed to issue citations for civil fines and fees against people responsible for such gatherings. Adults face a civil fine of $750, six hours of observation at a restorative justice hearing, and imposition of all of the costs of law enforcement’s response to the incident, and potential litigation from the families of people injured in the incident. Fines increase with additional violations.

“A restorative justice program helps the underage violator learn from the experience as opposed to their parents simply paying a fine,” Govi said. “I think it’s a good idea that adults are now going to face the required attendance at restorative justice program hearings. That makes this ordinance more effective.”

To date, the Marin County Sheriff’s Office has issued nearly 80 citations for violations in unincorporated Marin since the ordinance was adopted 11 years ago. Violators have paid fines, completed community service hours and participated in alcohol-related education.

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Activism

Group Takes First Steps to Recall District Attorney Diana Becton

The group, called “Recall Diana Becton,” says they have lost faith in her prosecution decisions and her lack of transparency. On their social media post, they say: “We the victims of crime, their families, local business owners and employees, as well as residents of Contra Costa County, have reached our limit and are initiating the recall of District Attorney Diana Becton,” the notice states. “We are increasingly concerned about the persistent cycle of unaddressed criminal activity. We are frustrated by her continuous empty promises to victims and their families that justice will prevail while she permits criminals to roam free.” Becton, 73, is a former judge who was appointed district attorney in 2017 by the Board of Supervisors and then won election in 2018 and again in 2022.

Published

3 days ago

March 24, 2025

Oakland Post

Diana Becton has served at the Contra Costa County District Attorney since 2017. Richmond Standard photo.

By Post Staff

After gathering more than 100 verified signatures, a group led by crime victims delivered a ‘notice of intent’ to the offices of Contra Costa County District Attorney Diana Becton seeking her recall.

The group, called “Recall Diana Becton,” says they have lost faith in her prosecution decisions and her lack of transparency.

On their social media post, they say:

“We the victims of crime, their families, local business owners and employees, as well as residents of Contra Costa County, have reached our limit and are initiating the recall of District Attorney Diana Becton,” the notice states.

“We are increasingly concerned about the persistent cycle of unaddressed criminal activity. We are frustrated by her continuous empty promises to victims and their families that justice will prevail while she permits criminals to roam free.”

Becton, 73, is a former judge who was appointed district attorney in 2017 by the Board of Supervisors and then won election in 2018 and again in 2022.

Becton has seven days to respond. According to the East Bay Times, her office spokesperson said her “answer will be her public comment.”

After Becton responds, according to the Contra Costa County Elections Office, Recall Diana Becton must then finalize the petition language and gather signatures of a minimum of 10% of registered voters (72,000) in 160 days before it can go on the ballot for election.

She is the third Bay Area district attorney whose constituents wanted them removed from office. San Francisco District Attorney Chesa Boudin was removed from office in 2021 and last year, Pamela Price lost her position in a recall election.

Of the top 10 proponents of Becton’s recall, three are the families of Alexis Gabe, Thomas Arellano, and Damond Lazenby Jr.

In each of those cases, the families say Becton failed to pursue prosecution, allowed a plea deal instead of a trial in a slaying and questioned the coroner’s report in a fatal car crash.

Some political science experts suggest that, in the Bay Area there may be a bit of copycat syndrome going on.

In many states, recalls are not permitted at all, but in California, not only are they permitted but the ability to put one into motion is easy.

“Only 10% of registered voters in a district are needed just to start the process of getting the effort onto the ballot,” Garrick Percival, a political science professor told the East Bay Times. “It makes it easy to make the attempt.”

But according to their website, the Recall Diana Becton group express their loss of faith in the prosecutor.

“Her lack of transparency regarding crime in this county, and her attempts to keep her offenders out of jail have left us disheartened,” the recall group wrote.

Petitioners say they are acting not just for themselves but other crime victims “who feel ignored, exasperated and hopeless in their pursuit of justice for themselves or their loved ones.”

KRON TV, The East Bay Times, and Wikipedia are the sources for this report.