Calaveras County, CA…Local resident and former candidate for County Supervisor Bob Bowerman filed a petition for a Writ of Mandate in Calaveras County Superior Court on Thursday alleging eight “false and misleading” statements in the ballot arguments in favor of Measure B, a ban on medical and commercial cannabis cultivation in Calaveras County.

Bowerman alleges that McManus and Tunno continue to make false statements in public filings, as well as in public settings.

California Elections Code section 9190 allows voters to file a “Writ of Mandate” to challenge information submitted for ballot pamphlets, which are delivered to voters in advance of an election. According to the law, statements which are “outright falsehoods or objectively untrue” can be stricken from ballot arguments. The filing does not require any financial obligation from McManus or Tunno, as it is strictly an effort to ensure that voters do not continue to be misled by false information.

“Frankly, I’ve had enough,” Bowerman said of Tunno and McManus’ comments. “The voters deserve to know the truth in order to make an informed choice.”

Contested points made by Measure B authors include the claim that regulation brought cannabis to Calaveras County. In fact, Calaveras officials and satellite images confirm the existence of cannabis cultivation in Calaveras for decades.

Another claim Measure B’s authors continue to make is that top law enforcement officials are universally for a ban. This has been proven untrue; Calaveras County Sheriff Rick DiBasilio has publically stated that he will not have the funding needed to enforce a ban should voters enact it.

False claims from Measure B’s authors conceal the impact of Measure B on Calaveras. There is no question, Measure B:

– Eliminates funding for law enforcement.

– Closes dispensaries in Calaveras that provide medication to sick patients.

– Immediately eliminates at least 2600 jobs, and likely an additional 800 related jobs.

– Makes Calaveras less safe by forcing legal cannabis farmers out, and inviting illegal growers in.