cannabisnews.com: A Darker Side of Pot Growing










  A Darker Side of Pot Growing

Posted by CN Staff on June 15, 2003 at 08:04:54 PT
By John Driscoll, The Times-Standard  
Source: Times-Standard  

The cost of a pound of marijuana on the street may not reflect the steep cost to the land where it was grown and to people living nearby. With the ongoing trend of moving big marijuana grows indoors, drug enforcement agents are frequently uncovering serious environmental contamination problems.Mostly, the pollution is from diesel generators used to power energy-hogging sodium lights and ventilation equipment needed to grow high potency marijuana indoors. 
A below-standard diesel storage tank, and improper disposal of motor oil, can lead to soil and groundwater pollution that can cost thousands of dollars to clean up -- and in some circumstances is impossible to remedy at all.The contamination has become more and more a part of criminal cases stemming from pot raids. Often, it's the owner of the property -- perhaps leasing it, even unknowingly, to pot growers -- who ends up responsible. Just how widespread or serious the problem is depends on who you ask. Police, prosecutors and game wardens insist it is huge. Others claim that isn't the case; they say that most growers are responsible, and many don't even use the diesel generators that tend to be at the center of the problem.It's difficult to get a handle on the scope of the issue, and whether people irresponsibly using generators for otherwise legal purposes may be just as big a problem. Everywhere we go "It's everywhere we go," said Ron Prose with the Bureau of Narcotics Enforcement, a division of the California Department of Justice. "I'm not talking about the guys with four plants in the closet. I'm talking about the guys who are like millionaires."In 2001, a pilot program was launched with sheriffs' departments in California and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration to work on indoor grows. Prose said that drug enforcement agents frequently found grows in Southern Humboldt County and Mendocino County that used diesel generators, sometimes running them off underground tanks. The tanks were often leaking or connected with poorly coupled hoses to the generators. The growers dumped oil or haphazardly tossed oil containers on the ground, Prose said.Soon, county prosecutors and the Department of Toxic Substances Control began to take notice. Today, there are several cases pending in Humboldt County Superior Court. The problem is, the growers themselves often aren't the owners of the property."Many times we deal with the owners, given that the perpetrators aren't available," said Luis Rivera of the North Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board. Depending on the circumstances, when large numbers of buildings are erected and significant changes are made to the property, that may seem fair. But occasionally, an absentee landlord really doesn't know what's happening on his property."If you or I changed our oil and dumped it in the back yard, we'd be in a lot of trouble," said Sgt. Wayne Hanson, who leads the Drug Enforcement Unit for the Humboldt County Sheriff's Department.Hanson said it is often tough to prove who the suspects are. In one case, contamination from a grow was shuffled off to an unsuspecting property buyer, who is now trying to recoup cleanup costs from the original owner, Hanson said.Rivera admitted that it's not possible to put a score on the problem, since a survey of the issue isn't readily available. But he said the board staff only deals with the worst problems, and even a minor spill can prove troublesome locally."The impact is immediate and very perceptible to the people around it," Rivera said. Oil and diesel can find its way into groundwater and into drinking water, and into creeks when it rains.The county Environmental Health Department responds to spills that may threaten drinking water supply. Department Director Brian Cox said that environmental health responded to eight separate spills related to marijuana grows in 2001. Since then, he believes the number has come down.Where the problem seems most acute, in Southern Humboldt, Cox said he believes education has gone a long way. "I think the residents in Southern Humboldt care and they don't want to see degradation of their environment," Cox said. Just bad apples That's what Richard Jay Moller thinks, too. A well-connected Southern Humboldt criminal defense attorney, Moller believes poorly managed fuel and oil is the exception rather than the rule. While he agreed that some contamination takes place, he said that many growers seem to have made the switch to cleaner propane generators. (Some sources say it's only because they are quieter.) It's the greedier big-time indoor growers who use diesel, he said. "The unfortunate thing about the crackdown on outdoor growing is that it has led people indoors," Moller said.While that argument roils law enforcement agents, it is true that many outdoor growers have gone inside, and have become increasingly sophisticated to avoid detection. Prose remembered an operation staged inside a $250,000 home with high-end lighting and ventilation systems. No one lived there, and in fact, the grow was nearly self-sufficient. A cell phone would call the caretaker if anything was amiss with the operation.Still, Prose said, the grower's waste disposal was primitive. He merely opened a valve on the generator to let the oil spill out the window through a tube.Moller argued that there are no doubt some bad apples. But he said that out of all the people using equipment -- for any reason -- that requires diesel and motor oil, there are a few who are not responsible. Following their noses Several years ago, Fish and Game Warden Larry Bruckenstein and a co-worker stumbled across a stream that smelled of diesel. The two followed their noses up the stream and the smell got stronger. At the source of the smell, they found an indoor grow and diesel leaking right into the creek.Bruckenstein is particularly frustrated with the growers, because he says they have the money to do things right. Pot can fetch more than $3,000 per pound. A May bust in Garberville turned up what might have been $8.75 million worth, had the plants reached maturity.The raid by the DEA, the Bureau of Narcotics Enforcement and the Humboldt County Drug Task Force on three parcels found 20 buildings and 10,000 plants. The bust also netted several rifles and two all-terrain vehicles.The equipment inside the structures was powered by two diesel generators, one 125-kilowatt and the other an 85-kilowatt generator. In this case, leaking fuel and oil caused minimal damage, according to environmental health officials.All of the 27,000 pot plants destroyed by the task force since January were found in indoor grows. It's likely that other busts will be made once the outdoor growing season is in full swing, but indoor grows are becoming a greater percentage of the total figure. Part of that is because operators can grow three crops per year. The biggest indoor grow bust in California history took place in 1998 on Lord-Ellis Summit off State Highway 299. About 12,000 plants were found in a house used exclusively for growing. Its five operators were reportedly making $50,000 per month.But instead of using a small portion of that income to upgrade fuel storage, Bruckenstein said, "They cut corners at every possible chance." If petroleum products enter state waters, the state Department of Fish and Game can prosecute both criminally and civilly. And while the regional water board can issue a cleanup and abatement order and levy stiff fines, often the mess just can't be cleaned up. Not just growers One manager of a Humboldt County hydroponics store, who asked not to be named, isn't convinced the problem is that severe. He estimated that perhaps 95 percent of his customers who buy sodium and halogen lights are buying them for use on the Pacific Gas and Electric Co. grid. He knows because the 110-volt lights he sells the most of aren't compatible with diesel generators. Also, the manager said few people come in to buy a large number of lights.He agreed that diesel pollution is most likely a problem, but added that he suspects gas stations pose an equal or greater risk. Further, he pointed at timber companies' widespread use of diesel as an additive to herbicides, which are legally sprayed over thousands of acres of timber cuts each year. That spraying is done under specific guidelines, but has caused concern in some communities.The source said he can't imagine pot grows posing the same problem."It would be hard to believe that it's as big of a problem as they would want it to seem," he said. "But is the problem out there? Yeah." Hands full Paul Hagen, Humboldt County deputy district attorney and environmental circuit prosecutor, said the problem, which he suspects is severe, really requires more investigative resources. "It's my strong feeling, from anecdotes over time, that the problem is chronic, systemic and widespread," Hagen said. "If the true extent of contamination from generators were known, the public would be appalled."On that end, the county's handful of drug cops already have a huge work load, and the environmental investigations that stem from their first duty are just a byproduct.Hagen said it is difficult to get perpetrators to clean up under criminal statutes. He said the District Attorney's Office can prosecute for the disposal of toxic substances, but can't order a cleanup of the mess. That's up to a judge. And the district attorney has no authority under the California Superfund Law -- that's the domain of the Department of Toxic Substances Control. But cleanup demands can be written into probation terms, as Deputy District Attorney Worth Dikeman is doing in one case not yet resolved. In the terms are demands that the perpetrator contact the Department of Toxic Substances Control, environmental health and the regional water board to investigate and fix the contamination. The agencies must also be reimbursed for their costs. As Hagen pointed out, one of the main problems in making irresponsible growers responsible is a lack of resources. At a time when the state budget is on life support and the county is making heavy cuts and layoffs, it's difficult to see how effective -- on a large scale -- prosecution of environmental crimes related to indoor grows may be. If, as environmental health's Cox suggests, education has gone a long way, perhaps the problem will begin to fade, especially if prosecutors are nudging them on, securing stiff penalties in the cases they can get their hands on.Note: Diesel, Oil Contamination a Slippery, but Serious Problem. Source: Times-Standard (CA)Author: John Driscoll, The Times-Standard Published: Sunday, June 15, 2003 Copyright: 2003 MediaNews Group, Inc.Contact: editor times-standard.comWebsite: http://www.times-standard.com/Related Articles:Mexican Druglords Grow Pot in Calif. Parks http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread16513.shtmlMarijuana Found Thriving in Forests http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread14764.shtmlPolice See Pot Growing Turning Into Big Business http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread14603.shtml 

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Comment #9 posted by Mike on June 15, 2003 at 22:50:17 PT
Ah yes!
And then they would have to deal with the problem of all the indoor oil drilling and refining operations. haha No doubt enough policy makers would profit from black market oil to keep it illegal...
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Comment #8 posted by freedom fighter on June 15, 2003 at 19:28:35 PT

Afterburner,
Oh, I obviously agree with you but with the prohibitionist's size of the brain, about the size of a pea, probably would'nt grasp that concept!Would'nt it be amazing if the drug warrior suddenly find hisself a petro warrior tommorrow? There are alot more petro addicts to be arrested and thrown in jail for releasing harmful vapors in the air! And these vapors are highly addictive!Save the children, heed the battle cry!!!!!!pazff
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Comment #7 posted by 312 on June 15, 2003 at 18:09:41 PT

Petrochemicals...
...are some of the most useful chemicals on the planet. Unfortunately the worst thing you can do with them is burn them.
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Comment #6 posted by afterburner on June 15, 2003 at 17:28:36 PT:

freedom fighter
Seems to me, your article present only two choices, ban all form of petrochemicals or legalize the pot and regulate it.
How about both options together?ego transcendence follows ego destruction, onward to the green future. 
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Comment #5 posted by freedom fighter on June 15, 2003 at 15:25:27 PT

The Prohibition Mindset (LTE)
Dear Editor:In regard to an article, "A Darker Side of Pot Growing", since we are so entrenched with Pot Prohibition mindset, why not prohibit the sales or possesion of any kind of petrochemicals? After all, go to any gasoline store and anyone will tell you that there will be a sign that states:WARNING! DO NOT BREATHE THE VAPORS. THE VAPORS ARE KNOWN TO CAUSE CANCER.Before any DEA agent can say anything about Pot and the diesel generator, please, do not drive your car or truck.
Everytime, you put gas in your tank, you have spewed harmful vapors in the air. Someone is breathing that stuff.Seems to me, your article present only two choices, ban all form of petrochemicals or legalize the pot and regulate it.Respectfully Yourspazff
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Comment #4 posted by Jose Melendez on June 15, 2003 at 12:13:18 PT

hmmm...
There are lots of resources on the net that explain how to recycle used oil into the fuel tank of a diesel engine...That said, sometimes it's tough to see the forest for the trees. I have a friend who must have wasted a considerable amount of fuel because he could not find a cheap replacement fuel cap... there's diesel all over that body panel of the car, sucked out as he drove down the highway. The bright side is that corner is now rust resistant ;)Check this out, from: http://www.bagelhole.org/article.php/Transportation/171/History of Vegetable Oil Fuel The concept of using vegetable oil as a fuel is nothing new. Dr. Rudolf 
Diesel first developed the diesel engine in 1895 with the full 
intention of running it on a variety of fuels, including vegetable oil. Diesel demonstrated his engine at the World Exhibition in Paris in 1900 
using peanut oil as fuel. In 1911 he stated "The diesel engine can be 
fed with vegetable oils and would help considerably in the development 
of agriculture of the countries which use it." In 1912, Diesel said 
"the use of vegetable oils for engine fuels may seem insignificant 
today. But such oils may become in course of time as important as 
petroleum and the coal tar products of the present time." Since 
Diesel's time, the design of the diesel engine has been modified so 
it can run on the cheapest fuel available: petroleum "diesel" fuel. Properties of Biodiesel Although it is made from vegetable oil, biodiesel is so much like 
petroleum diesel fuel that it functions like petroleum diesel and 
can be blended in any ratio with petroleum diesel fuel. Since 
biodiesel has relatively low emissions, it is an ideal fuel for use 
in sensitive environments and areas such as: marine areas, national 
parks and forests, and heavily polluted cities. Federal and state 
fleet vehicles and mining vehicles can also use biodiesel in their 
existing diesel engines. According to Dr. Kerr Walker, Senior Oil 
seeds Specialist at the Scottish Agricultural College, "biodiesel 
offers the...only opportunity for producing a renewable ecological 
transport fuel" Biodiesel has many advantages as a transport fuel, 
the greatest of which may be that it is produced from plants. Since plants are a direct product of solar energy, plant-based biodiesel is 
really just liquid solar fuel! Key Advantages of Biodiesel: Biodiesel runs in any conventional, unmodified diesel engine. It can be 
stored anywhere that petroleum diesel fuel is stored. Biodiesel reduces 
Carbon Dioxide emissions by up to 100% because it is a renewable fuel. 
This is very important because as you can see in the chart here, carbon 
dioxide contributes to 50% of the Greenhouse Effect. Biodiesel can be 
used alone or mixed in any amount with petroleum diesel fuel. Biodiesel 
is more lubricating than diesel fuel, so it increases the life of 
engines. Biodiesel is safe to handle because it is biodegradable and 
non-toxic. According to Alan Weber of the NAB, "neat biodiesel is as 
biodegradable as sugar and less toxic than salt." Biodiesel has a high 
flash point, or ignition temperature, of about 300 F compared to 
petroleum diesel fuel which has a flash point of 125 F. This means it's 
safer to transport. Auto ignition, fuel consumption, power output, and 
engine torque are relatively unaffected by biodiesel. So basically, the 
engine just runs like normal (except for the smell). ...So there you have it again, poison is legal, just not pot!

Green Grease Machine
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Comment #3 posted by afterburner on June 15, 2003 at 11:40:48 PT:

Make Grow-ops Legal and They Can Be Regulated.
Illegal grow-ops run by environmentally-unfriendly gangsters are a creation of the failed Prohibition II (War on Some Plants), and what is the Law Enforcement solution? More laws, more fines, more prohibition. The US Congress and most of the state governments are responsible for passing and maintaining unjust punitive laws against use of cannabis. Re-legalizing, regulating, and taxing cannabis will solve not only medical needs of patients, but also overcrowding of prisons, and federal and state deficits. The fact that so many grow-ops exist in both the USA and Canada is a symptom of the failure of the prohibitionist approach to the problem. During the final days of Alcohol Prohibition, the beer trucks drove freely through the streets of major US cities. It was obvious that Prohibition was on it's way out. When FDR proposed repeal of Prohibition, he was given a 20-minute standing ovation. With majority support in the public for medical cannabis and "decriminalizing" adult cannabis smokers, the US Federal Government is out of step with their constituencies. So far, one Democratic candidate for US President has come out in favor of medical cannabis, US Representative, Dennis Kucinich, of Ohio. It is time to add a cannabis reform plank to the national party platforms. Otherwise the common saying "a vote for a third party is a wasted vote" will become "a vote for a cannabis prohibitionist is a wasted vote." There are federal, state, and local elections next year, and we are watching, listening, and reading the statements of candidates looking for some compassion and change. The ball is in your court, we're waiting for your shot.ego transcendence follows ego destruction in the hearts and minds of the public, in the choice of candidates, in a more enlightened approach to laws.
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Comment #2 posted by smithereens on June 15, 2003 at 11:13:01 PT

The Cure
MR JR Bob Dobbs ;What you say is so true. Because the good old US of A has taken such a hard nosed view on drugs, especially pot (as it did during the prohibtion years with alchohol) the inherrent problems associated with illegality only help to keep the true criminals rejoicing.When will the states WAKE UP and realise that the only cure is to get rid of their prohibitive laws ????? Regulating the growing, manufacture, distribution and sale of pot can only prove to be a huge boon for the government. It will solve many problems, and free up law enforcement bodies to better spend their time productively rather than destructively. The whole of society can only benefit.Your current president is a bible bashing, born again christian with a very, very shady past. Get rid of the b**tard and elect someone worthy of running your country. Until that happens you will be forever in the dark ages.Cheers................BobThe current War on Drugs is simply an ongoing policy that absolutely sucks. 
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Comment #1 posted by JR Bob Dobbs on June 15, 2003 at 10:00:41 PT

LTE
Sirs,  Why is marijuana worth its weight in gold? Prohibition. Why is marijuana being grown indoors by criminals, instead of outdoors by law-abiding citizens? Prohibition. What law obviously has failed to keep Americans from smoking marijuana? Prohibition.  Just like the 1920s, when drinking alcohol could turn you blind, today's dangerous marijuana grow operations are a result of the government trying to stop people from enjoying themselves. When a popular drug is outlawed, only outlaws will be able to profit from it, and all enforcing the laws accomplishes is to keep the prices artificially inflated. If marijuana were sold in a legal and regulated store, the government could control the purity, set a minimum age limit, and raise tax money - and there would be strict government standards to which the growers would have to adhere or face legal sanctions. And to top it off, criminals would have to find a different source of revenue, since they would be unable to maintain their high prices without the government-sanctioned monopoly we call prohibition.

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