Back in August 2015, California Gov. Jerry Brown signed into law a measure that went into effect last month, one of many new Marijuana regulations under the Animal & Environmental banner. But this one measure sticks out like a sore thumb, one that is not tolerated by the state and has already shown their presence thru countless raids thru the Dept. of California Game & Wildlife. With numerous raids under their belt, this one particular measure allows steep civil fines against marijuana farms that damage the environment by dumping waste water and chemicals, removing trees and killing wild animals.
The measure, one of 16 bills signed by the governor, is meant to expand the powers of the state Department of Fish and Wildlife at a time when illegal marijuana operations are expanding significantly. This was introduced by Senator Monnin, since the measure was based on concern that since California voters approved medical marijuana use in 1996, the number of illegal growing operations in state parklands and forests has increased.
Investigators found more than 135 dams or diversions in rivers and streams that resulted in the theft of about 5 million gallons of water for marijuana grows. These practices already decimate California’s already historic drought conditions and severely affect Coho Salmon runs and other fishery populations.
the new law would provide for fines of up to $40,000 for illegally dumping many kinds of hazardous materials into rivers and streams, and fines up to $10,000 for removing trees or trapping and killing wildlife. Adding that it can cost up to $15,000 per acre to clean up and restore each acre damaged since fields are being bulldozed to level fields which are needed for the growth of Cannabis plants.
Last year, state agents participated in nearly 250 raids on illegal marijuana operations in which 609,480 marijuana plants were eradicated and 15,839 pounds of processed marijuana was seized. Wow! 16,000 pounds! imagine the crews of bud trimmers that were in line for that nice harvest, and the blisters that the Dept. of Fish and Wildlife team suffered thru the countless hours of shearing illegally potted plants with their own best bud trimmers. Only if they were able to get their hands on some sweet commercial bud trimmers, maybe some Dry/Wet weed trimmers, who cares right? Wait a minute, I think I need to make a phone call.
Michael Garay –