Is the world going to pot? California State Parks might wonder if that’s the case. The park department continues to combat illegal cannabis grows within and near state park properties. The California State Parks pot roundup is through its Cannabis Watershed Protection Program (CWPP).
State parks pot roundup
A news release reveals that during the 2024 season, the CWPP’s Special Enforcement Team (SET) led 16 operations in or near state parks’ properties ending in seven arrests and the removal of 25,558 cannabis plants, 4,820 pounds of processed cannabis, and 18 firearms. Numerous environmental crimes related to water diversion and water pollution were also documented.
“Illegal cannabis cultivation poses a serious threat to California’s unmatched natural resources, and we continue to make progress identifying and eradicating grow sites in and around State Parks,” said State Parks Director Armando Quintero. “The State Parks Cannabis Watershed Protection Program team will never stop working to protect these most valuable public lands and ensure their environments are safe for generations to come.”
From the largest park, and on down the line
At California’s largest state park, Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, the CWPP removed 4,672 cannabis plants. Operations at Anza also yielded approximately 500 pounds of waste, and 1,000 feet of irrigation line.
The state park units that SET led law enforcement operations in or around this year were Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, Clear Lake State Park, and Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park. Also on the list, Lake Oroville State Recreation Area, Onyx Ranch State Vehicle Recreation Area, Saddleback Butte State Park, and Smithe Redwoods State Natural Reserve.
Additionally, SET and other CWPP staff fully remediated 23 historic grow sites on State Park property. These efforts resulted in the removal of nearly 16,000 pounds of waste. It included 33,000 feet of plastic irrigation tubing and more than 600 pounds of fertilizer. The environmental impacts of these illicit grow operations can be devastating, such as polluting waterways and altering native ecosystems. Remediation is the first step in addressing effects they have on the landscape.
No word on just how the captured cannabis was disposed of.
##RVT1181b
Wonder why it takes so long to spot and then eradicate these grow operations. I have read that several were in operation Mutiple seasons.
It’s probably not a willful disregard but I do imagine that these criminal grow ops have more powerful weapons and more of them within reach than the good guys do.
Where did the captured cannabis go? Probably gone up in smoke..🙃
probably exported to New York State to support our elected idiot governor’s pot for profit (NY) program
Yes, up in smoke. I believe it is always incinerated by the authorities.
I can’t imagine why anyone would wanna grow mj in a desert? Besides the irrigation problem there’s also accessibility problem I mean it’s either dead flat desert or bouldery mountains. There are some fringe palm canyons, but well traveled by the public. I’m not sure what this has to do with rv’ing unless your trying to tie in drug production with using RV’s as in Walter White ?😅
Anza borrego is a nice place to boondock and explore. I would hate to run into a grow while out exploring.
It’s a huge park. I imagine the marijuana grows are in or very near remote, higher elevation canyons with more or less year round creeks. Most of the palm groves are destinations for visits by park visitors, so the grows would not be very near to them.
😂
Legalization is on the ND ballot for 2024! Just what we need – a few more – out of it – drivers. Also, an open carry state!!! As if there isn’t enuf trouble already!
Guess you don’t understand the meaning of why the 2nd Amendment is 2nd…you might want to look into that…especially right now 🇺🇸
Kara, it appears you don’t understand why guns are not permitted in bars – at least in ND. That’s sort of a controlled environment. Drug users, and that’s any kind of drug are not otherwise in a controlled environ., therefor I do not want any of them carrying guns. I do support the 2nd amendment and I certainly understand the reason for it after 42 yrs, 7 mos and 28 days of service to this country!
Our great nation is on the brink…and we’re “discussing” something that should have been legalized a very long time ago! I have seen first hand friends and family who have found tremendous relief from pain and suffering with CBD. Yet it is “illegal” and “opioids” are “legal” and taken by huge numbers of people who become addicted and many die…which isn’t the case with CBD. It’s obvious HUGE money is behind the growing of cannabis and only the chosen few may grow it…hmmmm sounds familiar…oh yeah Prohibition.
Thank you, Russ and Tina! Poor California. 😉 Have a great week and safe travels!