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Mexican Pot Lords See Green in Strapped Calif. Parks

By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff

Posted Jul 28, 2009 1:41 PM CDT

(Newser) – Mexican drug traffickers are having a banner year growing pot in California’s plentiful—and, due to the state budget crisis, woefully understaffed—parkland, the San Francisco Chronicle reports. Authorities think California might see a record-breaking, multi-billion dollar crop. “Our whole state is overrun,” said a spokeswoman for California’s Bureau of Narcotic Enforcement. “It’s an epidemic.”

Authorities have already seized more than 1 million marijuana plants, and the growing season isn’t half over. Though the patches are so large they’re often visible by helicopter, the state has 31 million acres of forest. When authorities do find crops, it does little good; the cartels can afford to lose a few, and don’t mind if low-level illegal immigrant workers caring for the plants get pinched.

This undated handout photo shows Citrus State Historic Park, east of Los Angeles.
This undated handout photo shows Citrus State Historic Park, east of Los Angeles.   (AP Photo)
A marijuana plant is grown at a medical marijuana dispensary.
A marijuana plant is grown at a medical marijuana dispensary.   (AP Photo)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 4 comments
Timinator2K
Jul 28, 2009 7:29 AM CDT
Agreed!
0001tr
Jul 28, 2009 7:17 AM CDT
yet ANOTHER very Successful distraction of our Government...mind you NO ONE PARTY responsible .They have Both succeeded at lining their own pockets, while keeping the American people fooled into believing they were Implimenting this WAR on Drugs...The word WAR translated means PROFIT to the POWER...
stacysaw
Jul 28, 2009 7:07 AM CDT
has this turned up in a "weeds" plotline yet? andy and silas take over a state park, pocketing the admission fee and living off the land next to their harvest. dang, i should be in hollywood.

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