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not a legal activity."…… http://www.insidebayarea.com/crime/ci_11978816 Fairfield, California -House fire leads to discovery of large scale marijuana grow By admin • Feb 17th, 2009 • Category: News Fairfield, California (Monday, February 16, 2009) On February 12, 2009, at approximately 10:00 PM, the Fairfield Fire Department responded to a residential fire…..Firefighters entered the home and discovered a large scale indoor marijuana growing operation…..The search yielded approximately 500 marijuana plants in various stages of development and nearly six pounds of processed marijuana……All five bedrooms of the two story home were dedicated to the growing operation. Detectives are actively investigating this crime. No arrests have been made yet. http://blog.drivinglaws.org/2009/02/17/fairfield-california-house-fire-leads-to-discovery-of-largescale-marijuana-grow/Gang officers find marijuana house By The Record /January 08, 2009 STOCKTON -Gang enforcement officers serving a Ventura County warrant at a north Stockton home Tuesday stumbled upon an indoor marijuana operation……Officers contacted detectives, who requested a search warrant, according to the report. They found the indoor growing operation and seized 133 marijuana plants, a half-pound of dried marijuana, $5,200 in cash, two handguns, a shotgun, an assault rifle and four M-1,000 explosive devices, according to the report…… http://www.recordnet.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090108/A_NEWS02/901080322 Bargain store yields huge indoor marijuana garden By BARBARA ARRIGONI -Staff Writer /01/08/2009 WILLOWS --Authorities Thursday were searching for the proprietor of a bargain store in Willows where hundreds of marijuana plants were discovered growing in the basement. The elaborate indoor garden was found Wednesday afternoon in the 99 Cents with Value store on West Sycamore Street, in the heart of downtown Willows……He said the setup inside the basement was very sophisticated and expensive. Agents and officers discovered 1,297 pot plants in various growth stages, and sophisticated lighting and watering equipment. The estimated street value of the plants, if they had reached maturity, is about $1.3 million, Parks said. The cultivation equipment is valued at about $60,000. The growers also may have illegally obtained power. Parks said a PG&E technician called to the scene found the electric service meter had been bypassed…… http://www.orovillemr.com/news/ci_11412015 Man arrested for growing marijuana Friday, January 09, 2009 /Bay City News FAIRFIELD, CA --A Vallejo man is scheduled to be arraigned in Solano County Superior Superior Court this afternoon for allegedly growing 156 marijuana plants at two homes he owns in and near Vallejo. ……Narcotics officers also found evidence of sales, processed marijuana weighing 4 pounds 5 ounces, several firearms including two 9mm semi-automatic pistols, a .44-caliber semi-automatic pistol and a 9mm semi-automatic rifle, Toynbee said. The estimated street value of the plants is about $780,000 and the value of the processed marijuana is valued at $21,750….. http://abclocal.go.com/kgo/story?section=news/local/north_bay&id=6595 576 Valley task force arrests nine in marijuana 'grow house' raids Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2009 /By Jim Guy /The Fresno Bee A drug task force took nine people into custody, served 13 warrants and seized hundreds of marijuana plants Wednesday in raids focusing on marijuana "grow houses" in the Central Valley…..The raids grew out of the seizure of 200 plants from a home on the 6200 block of North Marks Avenue in November 2007, she said. Along with 700 marijuana plants, officers on Wednesday also confiscated 65 pounds of processed marijuana, a pound of hashish and $20,000 in cash……The houses suffered extensive environmental damage, such as growth of mold, because growers sought to replicate the humid, tropical conditions in which marijuana plants thrive. Mims said that those who operate grow houses threaten otherwise safe neighborhoods. "They have large amounts of cash," she said. "Criminals know where they live and they are armed." http://www.fresnobee.c om/local/story/1130816.html Two face arraignment in medical marijuana case By Raul Hernandez /February 3, 2009 Two men will be arraigned Feb. 27 after a judge ruled there is sufficient evidence to hold them to answer for felony charges of cultivating marijuana in Ventura…..The two men — Breze Meyer, 28 and Eric Lee Jeffrey, 24, — were arrested on Feb. 24, 2008 after officers found 77 marijuana plants growing inside the house they were renting…… http://venturacountystar.com/news/2009/feb/04/two-face-arraignment-in-medical-marijuana-case/Deputies seize 1,100 marijuana plants from 2 Vallejo homes By JESSICA A. YORK/Times-Herald staff writer /02/05/2009 Solano County Sheriff's Department deputies scored major pot busts Tuesday and Wednesday, uncovering neighboring indoor operations in Vallejo with a combined estimated value of $2.7 million to $3.2 million. These are the fifth and sixth indoor marijuana-growing operations the department has uncovered in Vallejo in the past month…..Sheriffs deputies were removing some 1,100 high-potency marijuana plants and thousands of dollars of hydroponics, lighting, watering and distribution equipment from the homes….Castro-Flores' entire two-story home, including an attic, had been converted into a nursery for the narcotic plants, except for a small bathroom and a bedroom, deputies found…..Deputies were investigating a link to the second home, which shared a backyard with Castro-Flores' home and contained the bulk --about 800 --of the plants, as well as 6-7 pounds of processed and ready-to-sell marijuana…..Plants in both homes were grown using the same system……Based on a review of the homes' Pacific Gas and Electric meters, suspects were apparently bypassing the meters, as their significant energy draws were not registering……http://www.mercurynews.com/breakingnews/ci_11634830?nclick_nclick_check=1 Arcata resident sentenced for marijuana grow The Times-Standard /02/06/2009 On Wednesday, a Humboldt County Superior Court judge sentenced 38-year-old Arcata resident Jeremy Bensen to 270 days in jail for the cultivation of marijuana and providing false information to commit a fraud……Humboldt County Drug Task Force agents found two properties under Bensen's name that were drawing abnormally high amounts of electricity, leading them to serve search warrants at both properties. On Dec. 18, 2007……agents reportedly found 89 marijuana plants with processed marijuana, a scale and $1,640 in cash. During one nine-month period, that property drew between 3,800 and 6,000 kilowatt hours, the District Attorney's Office reported. At another property agents reportedly located 228 plants, processed marijuana and $3,600 in cash. During a six month period, agents learned the Eureka property drew between 5,700 and 7,800 kilowatt hours of electricity. An additional 40-acre property in the Pilot Rock area of Southern Humboldt was searched, yielding around 100 growing marijuana plants. Agents located bank records showing $101,590 had been deposited in cash during 2006, and $157170 was deposited over the following year. A number of those deposits, the office reported, were structured in a way to avoid reporting large cash deposits…… http://www.times-standard.com/localnews/ci_11643051 Investigation into Report of Prowler Leads to Pot Bust in Fairfield Created by Kimberlee Sakamoto on 2/12/2009 FAIRFIELD (KRON) – Fairfield police say an investigation into reports of a prowler yielded several arrests and the discovery of an extensive indoor marijuana farm……After entering the home, officers realized that the residence had been fashioned to accommodate an extensive marijuana growing operation. Police say nearly the entire home was converted to working grow rooms. Fairfield narcotics detectives confiscated 15 pounds of unprocessed marijuana, while police seized 154 grams of processed buds, Vicodin painkillers, smoking paraphernalia and a .22-calibur rifle with ammunition……. http://www.kron.com/News/ArticleView/tabid/298/smid/1126/Article ID/429/reftab/36/t/Investigatio n-into-Report-of-Prowler-Leads-to-Pot-Bust-in-Fairfield/Default.aspx Police raid nets marijuana, pirated movie DVDs By Harry Harris /Oakland Tribune /03/07/2009 OAKLAND — A fast spinning power meter and a strong odor led to the seizure by police of more than $30,000 worth of marijuana and 960 pirated movie DVDs from an East Oakland four-plex, authorities said Saturday……While looking for possible drug stash sites, the officers were at the apartment complex and first noticed the PG&E meter was "spinning a mile a minute" an indication of excessive use of electricity that is common in marijuana grow operations, Crawford said. The windows of the upstairs units were covered but the officers smelled a strong marijuana odor coming from inside……Crawford said the two apartments contained 300 marijuana plants in various stages of growth and 10 pounds of packaged product. He said there were lighting and ventilation systems inside the apartments for the growing. Besides the pirated DVDs, police found equipment that could make as many as 20 DVDs at a time, ……Crawford said power to the two apartments was shut off by PG&E because of the potential fire hazard caused by overloaded circuits…… http://www.contracostatimes.com/news/ci_11860879?source=rss Sebastopol man arrested for two marijuana grow operations Bay City News Service /03/15/2009 A 52-year-old Sebastopol man was arrested and two large marijuana grow operations were discovered Thursday…..Detectives found three separate grow rooms on the property and seized 199 plants, 26 pounds of processed marijuana, another half pound of concentrated cannabis, and more than $25,000 in cash, according to the sheriff's department. During the search, information was discovered that led detectives to a second home in Mendocino County. The home…..Willits, was discovered to be containing another grow operation containing 250 plants, about 25 pounds of processed marijuana, and a firearm, according to the sheriff's department. Detectives also found a large generator at the Mendocino County home with oil and gas cans scattered around the area that posed a potential contaminant to a nearby stream. The Department of Fish & Game is being contacted to evaluate any potential hazard….. http://www.mercurynews.com/breakingnews/ci_11919173?nclick_check=1 Santa Rosa Man Arrested For Pills, Marijuana CBS 5 CrimeWatch /Mar 14, 2009 SANTA ROSA (BCN) 􀀁 A 24-year-old Santa Rosa man was arrested Thursday after an investigation into forged prescriptions for narcotic pills led to the discovery of an elaborate indoor marijuana grow operation…..A search warrant was obtained for the home and vehicle, and during the ensuing search detectives found the grow operation with more than 200 plants in various stages of growth, along with about 500 narcotic pills, a large amount of cash and a loaded firearm….. http://cbs5.com/crime/Marijuana.Prescription.Santa.2.959147.html Fraud investigation results in four arrests Arroyo Grande: Three Arroyo Grande residents and a Nipomo man have been arrested on various charges following a monthlong investigation into fraudulent use of credit cards stolen in a residential burglary in Grover Beach. As a result of the investigation, a search warrant was served Sunday morning…..During the search, allegedly stolen property was seized along with items purchased from stores in Arroyo Grande and Pismo Beach with the stolen credit cards, police said. A marijuana cultivation operation also was found at the residence, according to police….. http://www.timespressrecorder.com/articles/2009/03/17/news/fivecities/news2 4.txt Sheriff's team: Men had marijuana, guns Friday, Mar. 27, 2009 Three men were were arrested Wednesday on suspicion of marijuana possession after Merced County Sheriff's Department deputies reported finding seeds and plants in a residence……After obtaining a search warrant for the residence, the team sent in a sheriff's dog named Charlie, MacKenzie said. After Charlie conducted a search of the house, cars and trailer on the property, deputies found 2 pounds of marijuana, 2 pounds of marijuana seeds, four handguns, several rifles and shotguns….. http://www.mercedsu nstar.com/168/story/759131.html Police find marijuana plants, guns in home near park BY SABRA STAFFORD /3/28/2009 For the second time in as many weeks, the Narcotics Enforcement Team at the Turlock Police Department has uncovered a marijuana growing operation inside a Turlock residence. This time the raid…..resulted in the seizure of 142 marijuana plants in various stages of growth. The street value of the plants was estimated at $500,000 according to the Turlock Police Department. The narcotics team, along with the gang unit, unit, served a search warrant at the home around noon on Wednesday. Officers found two rooms in the house that had been converted into hidden indoor growing rooms. Both rooms had hidden entrances and were used solely for cultivating marijuana, said Turlock Police……This is the second major drug bust the Narcotics Enforcement Team has made since forming late last year. On March 20, they uncovered approximately 400 marijuana plants with a street value between $1 million to $1.5 million…… http://www.turlockjournal.com/main.asp?SectionID=19&SubSectionID=6&ArticleID=3999 A growing problem: Drug agents see more elaborate marijuana operations By Austin L. Miller /Staff writer /Published: January 12, 2009 Growing and harvesting marijuana is big business. By the numbers 2007 2008 13 grow houses dismantled 33 grow houses dismantled 16 arrests 37 arrests 1,270 marijuana plants confiscated 2,729 marijuana plants confiscated The 2,729 marijuana plants found last year in various sections of the county were grown inside and contained a high quality of tetra hydro cannabinol or THC, which is a psychoactive substance. On average, high-end marijuana sells for $4,000 to $6,000 a pound, compared to marijuana grown outside under less than ideal conditions, which typically fetches $500 to $800 a pound. An average indoor grow house containing 250 plants can produce about 250 pounds of marijuana a year, generating $1 million at $4,000 a pound. By growing marijuana indoors, dealers can enhance the THC level through the use of special lighting, fans, air conditioning units and unlimited use of electricity, typically gotten by diverting power from the meter to another source. Starting a grow house operation is estimated to be as low as $25,000 and as high as $90,000…… http://www.ocala.com/article/20090112/articles/901121001 Agents seize nearly $100,000 in marijuana By Rob Parsons/Staff Writer /Friday, Mar 20 2009, 7:33 pm A Chico man is out on bail today after he was arrested Wednesday in Hamilton City with nearly $100,000 in marijuana plants and related growing equipment……The Glenn County Interagency Narcotics Task Force on Wednesday served a search warrant…..Agents seized 88 marijuana plants in different stages of development, 3 ounces of processed marijuana and 1.2 grams of rock cocaine. Agents also confiscated multiple grow lights and ballasts…… http://www.orland-press-register.com/news/county_3268___article .html/bail_marijuana.html The growing of Marijuana on public lands cost tax payers millions of dollars in “clean-up” costs. As enforcement is stepped up, more and more confrontations between armed growers and law enforcement officer are occurring. The danger to unarmed citizens attempting to use public lands has also increased as growers are willing to go to greater lengths to protect their drugs. Pot growth hurting wilderness Toxic water, mounds of waste foul public lands where cartels run plantations By GLENDA ANDERSON /THE PRESS DEMOCRAT /Published: January 4, 2009 m. Long after illegal marijuana gardens cultivated on public lands have been cleared, the trash, toxic chemicals and other environmental damage remain. "They've terraced, they've filled garbage pits, they've contaminated the ground with various chemicals," some of which have been banned in the United States……,"I don't think people realize how much damage they do," Sharpe said. “They" are believed to be mostly Mexican nationals working for drug cartels back home. The hired laborers live in makeshift camps on public lands during the outdoor marijuana growing season. When they leave, or are chased off by the law, left behind are mini-landfills, toxic pools of water, animal carcasses and miles of drip irrigation pipe. Of the 2.9 million pot plants seized during the state's 2008 Campaign Against Marijuana Production, 70 percent were on public land. The figures do not include yeararound pot seizures by other federal, state and local law organizations. Local officials also have been dealing with toxic messes left on private property……The U.S. Forest Service does not receive money specifically for pot garden cleanups, but the California division set aside $350,000 of its budget to clean up 30 sites in California, said Ron Pugh, special agent in charge of law enforcement in California……"This is a systematic occupation of armed foreign nationals conducting criminal activities on our public lands for profit. They're creating resource damage and creating a huge public risk," he said. http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20090104/NEWS/901040370/1350?Title=Pot_growth_hurtin g_wilderness Officials clean up, remove illegal marijuana garden By Kristofer Noceda /The Daily Review /01/24/2009 CASTRO VALLEY — Empty bottles of pesticide could be seen along a tributary to the Palomares Creek. Patrick Foy, a warden for the California Department Fish and Game, picked one up and shook his head in disgust. "After a big rain like we've just experienced, these things can run into the creek and kill lots of the aquatic organisms here, including fish," he said. Foy was part of a team that on Friday was called to clean up an illegal marijuana garden site that had been left abandoned since last summer, when law enforcement agencies raided the operation and uprooted about 250 marijuana plants……Statewide efforts are being funded by a $250,000 grant from the California Integrated Waste Management Board, which pulled special funds from waste hauler disposals and recycling fees for the grant. Officials have targeted 1,100 sites throughout the state that still need to be cleaned up. "It is money well spent," said Andrew Hughan, a spokesman for the waste management board. "I believe we are keeping the environment healthy with this work." http://www.insidebayarea.com/dailyreview/localnews/ci_11540265 Pot growers thrive in Northern California Cash crop now accounts for two-thirds of Mendocino County economy By Trish Regan /Anchor CNBC /Thurs., Jan. 22, 2009 MENDOCINO COUNTY, Calif. -Two hours from San Francisco, Northern California’s Mendocino County is a world away from the urban bustle. At first glance, it’s a picture postcard of the far West. But beneath its beauty lies a controversial, profitable and increasingly violent criminal enterprise. The marijuana trade is an exploding underground industry. Marijuana is being grown in homes, backyards, even in our national parks…..Marijuana is the major cash crop here. A countycommissioned study reports pot accounts for up to two-thirds of the local economy. “I don’t think there’s anything more important in this economy. To take this out would be a major blow,” said Morrison. Though reliable numbers are hard to come by, marijuana growers in Mendocino County generate an estimated $1 billion a year. That makes the area home to a sizable chunk of a national market for marijuana believed to be in the tens of billions of dollars. Mendocino local Eric Sligh took CNBC on a tour of one backyard garden. “These marijuana plants in Mendocino County can sometimes reach 14, 15, 20 feet,” he said. A plant that yields about two pounds would be worth about $5,000, said Sligh; his crop of 20 plants is potentially worth $100,000. Sligh’s expertise in marijuana led him to publish Grow, a magazine that represents just how far the marijuana business has come……growers like Sligh say marijuana has become more like any legitimate agricultural commodity like grapes, wheat, even coffee. “There’s a very developed system of brokering marijuana that exists all throughout California; it’s just like a commodities broker on Wall Street,” he said. “They’re getting it for the lowest price they can get it, and they’re bringing in the buyer and trying to get the buyer to pay the highest price they can. So, the margin in between is where they make their money.” The economics of this drug are simple and attractive. It costs an estimated $400 to grow a pound of pot. One pound sells for $2,500 to a middle man. It then yields $6,000 on the street. With low start-up and overhead costs, marijuana is the most profitable drug of all, according to local law enforcement officials. With that kind of profit margin, marijuana is increasingly filling the gap left by other failing industries like lumber and fishing….. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28354324/Marijuana garden found in LA County park The Associated Press /03/27/2009 09:59:28 AM PDT LOS ANGELES—Some 11,000 marijuana plants have been found growing in an acre-plus pot garden in the Peter F. Schabarum County Regional Park wilderness east of Los Angeles…..County police Lt. Jeremy Kitabjian says three men dropped pellet rifles and fled when they saw officers. They have eluded capture. The plants have been uprooted and hauled away. http://www.mercurynews.com/news/ci_ 12011029?nclick_check=1 Four medical studies were publicized this quarter. Each expressed the serious effects the use of marijuana causes, especially in younger users. Heavy marijuana use ”damages teens” brains” Washington, Feb 03 (ANI): A new study has revealed that teens and young adults who are heavy users of marijuana are more likely than non-users to have disrupted brain development. In the study, researchers found abnormalities in areas of the brain that interconnect brain regions involved in memory, attention, decision-making, language and executive functioning skills. The findings hold significance because adolescence is a crucial period for brain development and maturation. “Studies of normal brain development reveal critical areas of the brain that develop during late adolescence, and our study shows that heavy cannabis use is associated with damage in those brain regions,” said study leader Manzar Ashtari, Ph.D., director of the Diffusion Image Analysis and Brain Morphometry Laboratory in the Radiology Department of The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. ……The study appeared early last month in the Journal of Psychiatric Research. http://hamaraphotos.com/health/brain/heavy-marijuana-use-damages-teens-brains.html Study shows marijuana use dangerous for those with heart disease By Peggy Kraus, Disease Prevention Examiner /February 8, The young adults of the 1970s have now reached their fifties and sixties, and the likelihood that the marijuana-loving segment of this population develop heart disease is great. Along with other poor health habits, such as making poor food choices, cigarette smoking, inactivity, and being overweight or obese, using marijuana adds to the morbidity and mortality of this group. A 2002 review of the effects of marijuana on the cardiovascular system reports the following: The use of marijuana by "most young, healthy users" is directly related to "occasional myocardial infarction, stroke, and other adverse cardiovascular events." "Marijuana smoking by people with cardiovascular disease poses health risks because of the consequences of the resulting increased cardiac work, increased catecholamine levels, carboxyhemoglobin, and postural hypotension." In other words, if you are young and healthy and you choose to use marijuana, you stand a chance of having a heart attack, stroke, or other cardiovascular problem……. http://www.examiner.com/x-672-Dis ease-Prevention-Examiner~y2009m2d8-Study-showsmarijuana-use-dangerous-for-those-with-heart-disease Marijuana use and testicular cancer 4:54 PM, February 9, 2009 Young men who began using marijuana as adolescents or who smoked pot at least once a week were twice as likely as those who never used the drug to develop testicular cancer, according to researchers at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle. The association was strongest with nonseminoma, an aggressive, fast-growing subtype of testicular cancer that typically strikes men between ages 20 and 35. "It's not just that you develop testicular cancer, but you develop a worse type of testicular cancer," said Dr. Glen Justice, director of the cancer center at Orange Coast Memorial Medical Center in Fountain Valley, who was not involved with the study…..The study published online today in the journal Cancer was the first to look at marijuana, its authors said. Researchers interviewed 371 men aged 18 to 44 who had been diagnosed with testicular cancer. They interviewed an additional 979 men of the same age group and from the same three Washington counties who did not have cancer. The researchers found a 70% higher risk of testicular cancer in those who were using pot at the time of diagnosis, with an even higher risk associated with younger age at first use and frequency of use…… http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/booster_shots/200 9/02/marijuana-use-a.html New Severe Vomiting Syndrome Linked to Chronic Pot Use Monday, March 23, 2009 /Reuters There’s mounting evidence that a new syndrome is directly related to chronic abuse of marijuana. The severe vomiting sickness, called "cannabinoid hyperemesis," was first recognized in Australia in 2004. U.S. researchers have uncovered a new case involving a 22-year-old man from Omaha, Neb, according to a study published in the March issue of the World Journal of Gastroenterology. The latest findings were presented by Dr. Siva Sontineni and colleagues from the Creighton University Medical Center in Omaha, Neb. Symptoms include nausea, stomach pain and severe vomiting. Sufferers report the only way to get some relief is from taking a hot bath or shower. “Doctors and health care workers currently under recognize the syndrome leading to delayed diagnosis and expensive diagnostic investigations,” Sontineni wrote in the report. “Increasing consistent use of marijuana among United States populations, particularly young people, over several years will see a steady rise in the number of cases diagnosed each year.” In the Nebraska case, the man had been smoking heavy doses of marijuana daily for six years. This eventually led to bouts of vomiting lasting 2-3 hours daily, and it was worse after meals….. http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,510193,00.html The “legitimate” business of selling Marijuana has spawned a number of other enterprises. These businesses support those who engage in the sale of marijuana from defending them in criminal cases, those who teach them how to cultivate marijuana and open a dispensary to two publicly traded companies that offer retail sales services for dispensaries. Advocates for marijuana use and those attempting to start legitimate businesses in support of marijuana sales are working to support the legalization of marijuana for all purposes. America's Criminal Defense Group defeats prosecution on 500 pounds of marijuana in Nebraska Monday, January 12, 2009 The attorneys at America's Criminal Defense group and senior attorney Anthony Partipilo secure six month jail sentence for client facing charges of possession with intent to deliver 500 pounds of marijuana. Client was arrested on the Interstate I-80 in Nebraska while traveling through the state. Through the tireless efforts and aggressive representation by America's Criminal Defense Group the prosecution was left with no other choice but to offer a plea of 6 months county jail time of which the client was given credit for the 3 months he spent in jail on the arrest and was released with time served. The client resides in California. Anyone charged with transportation of marijuana is encouraged to contact the attorneys at America's Criminal Defense Group www.americascriminaldefense.com and senior case manager Todd A. Terry (non-attorney) before talking to law enforcement. Visit www.AmericasCriminalDefense.com for more information about America's Criminal Defense Group. http://criminalattorneyblog.blogspot.com/2009/01/americas-criminal-defense-group-defeats.html 420attorney on Marijuana and recent events in the law, Brought to you by The Kroger Law Group Recent events in the California Marijuana legal