Reformers Call For New Policy to Protect Forests From Marijuana Farms

(SAN FRANCISCO) - Recent alarming reports of environmental damage caused by illegal marijuana farms in national forests and wilderness areas in California and elsewhere show that an entirely new approach is needed in order to solve the problem, officials of the Marijuana Policy Project said today.

"Year after year we hear from law enforcement and U.S. Forest Service officials about growing environmental damage caused by these criminal operations, even as law enforcement seizures of marijuana plants set new records every year," said Bruce Mirken, MPP's California-based director of communications.

"What we've been doing is plainly not working and has actually caused the problem in the first place. It's time to get off the treadmill and try a new approach."

An October 13th Associated Press story quoted Forest Service agent Ron Pugh describing the problem as "a crisis at every level."

"California is a world-leading producer of two popular psychoactive drugs -- marijuana and wine," Mirken said.

"California's wine industry is a huge asset to our state's economy and reputation, generating tax revenue, tourism and prestige, with no meaningful environmental problems. There is no reason marijuana should be different. They're both agricultural products, and there is nothing inherently dangerous about marijuana cultivation. The difference is that wine is legally regulated, while we consign marijuana -- the state's leading cash crop, based on government figures -- to the criminal underground where it is completely unregulated and untaxed, while all the profits go to criminals. In the process, we've effectively invited the violence from the Mexican drug trade over our borders. The problem isn't marijuana, the problem is dumb policy."

"Last year the number of Americans who have used marijuana reached an all-time record of over 100 million. It's time to stop imagining that we can make this industry go away and time to start bringing it under responsible regulation just like our wine industry."

With more than 25,000 members and 100,000 e-mail subscribers nationwide, the Marijuana Policy Project is the largest marijuana policy reform organization in the United States. MPP believes that the best way to minimize the harm associated with marijuana is to regulate marijuana in a manner similar to alcohol.

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d October 14, 2008 11:45 pm (Pacific time)

There will allways be crinals that will sell drugs of some sort legl or not!

JJ October 14, 2008 7:23 pm (Pacific time)

If any OMMP patient, grower, or caregiver would like a retreat, a compassionate website for those looking for info to get your card, or share in a wonderful community go to www.freemygreen.com

sts October 14, 2008 5:54 pm (Pacific time)

Brandon: a no friggin brainer huh? The war on drugs has been going on for decades with nothing but loss. Anyone can buy anything on a street corner. Yes, I did say decades. Time to move on, and legalize all drugs. Oh, but wait a minute.. then the "elite" could not militarize the local police on their "take over the world" agenda.. Scare tactics that have been used by governments for centuries. But, the elite infiltrated the media and public education system. It is proven that the elite cannot govern with a gun at peoples head, so they use scare tactics, and infiltrate the minds of children in the public school system.. sorry, a bit off topic, but I am kinda upset about all of the deceit. :-) smiles!

Brandon Bowers October 14, 2008 10:49 am (Pacific time)

Amen! If you are against violence and don't want money going into the hands of criminals, legalize all drugs!

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