Marijuana Industry facing a Bleak Future?

Omens for the marijuana industry have been increasingly bleak of late. Diesel spills have brought attention to the ugly environmental damage that the industry has yet failed to address. Furthermore, what appears to be the largest FBI raid in Northern California history targeted our area just a month ago.

And, just recently Scott Burns, Dept. Director of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy, came to Arcata and spoke of large crackdowns on everything from cannabis dispensaries to individual grow houses. He said, “…these grow houses are a serious problem and is there a will on behalf of the federal government to have federal, state and local come together and address it? My response was “Yes.'”

Attention is increasingly being brought to Humboldt’s “secret business.” In Burns’ interview he stated, “We’re also here with a CNBC crew. It’s gonna do a one-hour national documentary about this issue and they’ll be flying with…” Then Whorley finished for him, “CAMP, next couple of days.” (Note that Eric Sligh of Humboldt Grow magazine also states that CNBC planned to interview him, too.)

But right now, Medical marijuana and Humboldt’s connection to the business has hit the latest edition of The New Yorker. A comment on the Humboldt Herald by gambleer, pointed out the most recent of in depth stories on the local industry. Though the attention from The New Yorker alone is somewhat disquieting for members of the growing community, the article points out a further danger–when cannabis club owners meet in Los Angeles and discuss law enforcement raids on their businesses, they say that what the Drug Enforcement Agency wants is “They want to know who is in charge and where the medicine comes from,” [an owner] answered. “They want growers.”

UPDATE: Eric gives great advice on how to deal with law enforcement.

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Chris
Guest
15 years ago

What a waste of public resources.

Ben
Guest
Ben
15 years ago

Kym, Is the diesel meeting tomorrow night? Do you know where? The KMUD news tonight was a scrambled mess. Very strange.

Staff
Member
15 years ago

The diesel meeting is tomorrow night 7-9 at the Vet Hall. Be there or be square 8)

Tj
Guest
Tj
15 years ago

Kym, I read all the links in your post and I have to tell you the New Yorker article really made me feel uncomfortable about our area. And yet I love our area, including the diversity of culture and people. This article was not well done and it created a poor stereotype for the outside to see. Very poor. I wonder what will come of it?

Staff
Member
15 years ago

Tj, I agree that the article wasn’t exactly full of glowing references to the area but, I think it portrayed (if not kindly) the interconnected levels between growers, dispenseries, and buyers as well as the other people involved. I also think it is a bit of a cautionary tale to people in the growing business up here.

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[…] not so fast: This Humboldt County blogger argues that the medical marijuana industry can become a victim of its own success as it attracts […]

Pass a Marijuana Drug Test
Guest

Respectfully I disagree that the future is not bleak but rather bright. With the democrates taking back office in November the Christian Crusades that have reighned for nearly 8 years will be over and order to the states (california) will be restored. Time and education will legalize marijuana…if nothing else for taxation.

Staff
Member
15 years ago

I think legalization might be more likely in the next 8 years but, here in Humboldt Co. I suspect the federal authorities will be cracking down for the next few months.

jeff
Guest
jeff
15 years ago

im sorry to say but marijuana and hemp have a very great future. hemp has been proven to make AT LEAST 80 percent of ALL petroleum products (yes, even fuel). THC in “marijuana” or cannabis has been proven to kill human cancer cells. it has killed the most common brain cancer cells, it has killed human lung cancer cells, it is believed to kill prostate, skin, and other cancer cells. this article is hogwash. just because the “gov’ment” is “cracking down” doesnt mean that cannabis and hemp do not have a future. science will show us that this (yes singular) plant (cannabis is female, hemp is male) will prevail and will once again be leaned on in everything that regards human life. here are some links so that you do not think im rambling without proof. http://www.jci.org/articles/view/JCI25509 increases brain cells. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S9Am3yUDt3M car powered by hemp oil. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UaHoIhjUsxM&feature=related EXTREMELY healthy food and could live off of eating only hemp/cannabis. http://www.leg.state.vt.us/docs/legdoc.cfm?URL=/docs/2008/bills/passed/H-267.HTM legislative document from vermont’s website stating some usages of hemp and saying that it would sustain the agricultural and economic strains placed against our society. http://cat.inist.fr/?aModele=afficheN&cpsidt=17038690 thc kills most common brain cancer cells. http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/04/17/health/webmd/main2696726.shtml THC kills lung cancer cells.

Eco Green
Guest
14 years ago

Politicians are 10 years behind the times when it comes to hemp use. People have been fighting for a long time against marijuana and pot prohibition with some movement going on now. Still too slow for those caught up in the jail system for possessing a little weed. Our freedoms have been trampled on by folks who know nothing about how beautiful cannabis can be for someones life, if one learns how to grow cannabis. Keep up the good work.