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the Tuolumne Narcotics Team (TNT) is right around the corner. Late last week the team pulled 6,703 plants in three locations throughout the county running the yearly total to 200,400 as compared to only 107,000 last year which was also a record setting year. At a conservative estimate of $2,000 a plant that equates to $400,800,000 the Mexican Drug Trafficking Cartel has lost this year in Tuolumne County. TNT Sgt. Craig Davis says the illegal Mexican nationals who man the grows rarely return to a site that has been Medical Marijuana and Associated Issues California Chiefs of Police Association Medical Marijuana Task Force July to September 2009 25 eradicated. Davis adds that he will go to great lengths to avoid any kind of a confrontation with the illegals in the grows. He comments, "A plant is simply not worth the life of one of my men." This year three Mexican nationals were arrested and bound over to the INS. Davis adds that they will probably serve a short prison term, be deported and possibly return in a month's time to start all over again. "While they are in prison we feed and cloth them and meet all their essential needs. When they're deported they return home, turn right around and return to the U.S. in a very short period of time to start the cycle all over again. They really know the system." Asked if he thinks TNT is making a difference, he states, "Yes I do. If we were not in existence all that marijuana would be sold on the streets and the profits would be used to finance the Cartel's super methamphetamine labs in Mexico. I don't know what kind of a budget they have but anybody has to be hurting a little bit if they lose as much as they have lost in our county this year." http://www.mymotherlode.com/news/local/548485/Marijuana-Eradication-Season-Drawing-To-AClose.html FOLLOW-UP: 10 lbs. marijuana, 24 plants at Redwood Valley fire scene Ukiah Daily Journal Staff Updated: 09/30/2009 12:00:41 AM PDT A 27-year-old Washington man arrested on suspicion of arson Monday is alleged to have had 10 pounds of processed marijuana and 24 mature marijuana plants on a Scenic Drive property in Redwood Valley. John G. Caputo, of Spokane, was booked into Mendocino County Jail on suspicion of unlawfully causing a fire, growing marijuana and possession of marijuana for sale, the Mendocino County Sheriff's Office stated. According to the Sheriff's Office, deputies were advised that marijuana was on the property and that California State Prison inmates were helping to fight a 15-acre fire. Cal Fire called for sheriff's deputies about 1:30 p.m. Monday at the scene of a vegetation fire in the 18000 block of Scenic Drive. Caputo was burning trash near the residence when he lost control of the fire. According the MCSO, Caputo was at the property to tend marijuana plants but said that he did not live there. Caputo's bail was set at $30,000. http://www.ukiahdailyjournal.com/ci_13451087 Indoor grows have continued to increase in popularity. Public Safety agencies continue to respond to fires started by poorly wired grow systems. Many of the cited cases involve bypassing electrical meters and the theft of electricity L.A. officers, firefighters discover 1,000 pot plants after fire Associated Press /July 13, 2009 LOS ANGELES — Police hauled bags of marijuana out of a fire-gutted warehouse Thursday after firefighters discovered a full-blown pot farm inside, authorities said. About 1,000 plants with a street value of $1 million were found after firefighters doused the blaze, police officer Tenesha Dobine said. It was unclear how much marijuana marijuana might have been destroyed in the fire, she said. The immature, 4-to 6-inch-high plants were grown in an elaborate hydroponic setup and investigators were trying to determine whether electrical equipment used in the operation may have sparked the fire, police and fire officials said. "They had lights and an air conditioning system for the plants and a whole water circulation system," Los Angeles fire Capt. Henry Amaran told KCAL-TV. No arrests were Medical Marijuana and Associated Issues California Chiefs of Police Association Medical Marijuana Task Force July to September 2009 26 immediately made……It took 75 firefighters about 40 minutes to douse the blaze. The roof collapsed and the 100-by-150-foot building was gutted but no firefighters were injured…… http://www.policeone.com/drug-interdiction-narcotics/articles/1855271- L-A-officers-firefightersdiscover-1-000-pot-plants-after-fire/SF: UPDATE: FOUR-ALARM FIRE STILL BURNING IN BAYVIEW DISTRICT, MARIJUANA GROW FOUND SAN FRANCISCO (BCN) /Sun, 30 Aug 2009 A four-alarm fire continues to burn this afternoon in an industrial area of San Francisco's Bayview District and authorities are investigating a possible marijuana grow operation in a building damaged by the blaze, police Sgt. Wilfred Williams said. The fire was reported at about 10:50 a.m. at 1526 Wallace Ave., and has spread to at least two other buildings in the 1500 block of the street, according to Williams. Marijuana was found growing in one of the buildings, and Williams said the Police Department's narcotics unit is investigating whether it is an illegal grow operation….. http://cbs5.com/localwire/22.0.html?type=bcn&item=FOUR-ALARM-FIRE-(UPDATE-ON-BCN57)-16-36 Hundreds Of Marijuana Plants Seized From SF Home July 28, 2009 SAN FRANCISCO --One man was arrested Tuesday after San Francisco police discovered a large marijuana growing operation in a Sunset District home, police Sgt. Wilfred Williams said. He said officers went to the home in the 2200 block of 20th Avenue shortly after 2 p.m. and confiscated 346 mature marijuana plants as well as growing equipment……Police said there's something about the Sunset district that seems to be attracting marijuana growers. In the past five months, officers have discovered 20 marijuana growing operations in and around the Sunset and Ingleside neighborhoods, according to police……People are learning the process and finding out how to grow marijuana," said SFPD Sgt. Mark Im. “It's become more of a problem.” Police said they made busts at four other Sunset District homes on Sunday alone, seizing more than 900 plants. On Monday, another bust yielded in excess of 1,100 marijuana plants at a warehouse in the Bayview District. Growers usually keep a low profile, covering their windows and often bypassing PG&E meters to avoid suspiciously high utility bills. "The houses are being rented so these renters and are trying to keep low key," said Sgt. Im. In past incidents, electrical rewiring has created dangerous conditions at the homes used by growers. "They are tapping into power lines, [which could create] potential fires," explained Sgt. Im. "There's also the potential for violent crimes. We've seized guns in the past……The Sunset may currently be a popular place to grow pot in San Francisco, however police said they will keep up the pressure to shut down any growing operations as soon as they learn of their existence. http://www.ktvu.com/news/20209090/detail.html KCSO Seize Rifle, $241K In Marijuana, 2 Arrested September 4, 4, 2009 RIDGECREST, Calif. --On Friday around 10 a.m., Kern County Sheriff’s deputies assigned to the Sheriff’s Ridgecrest Substation were dispatched to 1131 N. Alford Street, Ridgecrest, for a report of subjects cultivating marijuana. Deputies said they went to the residence and conducted a probation search. Deputies seized a loaded M1 Carbine .30 caliber rifle, and numerous marijuana plants. Deputies Medical Marijuana and Associated Issues California Chiefs of Police Association Medical Marijuana Task Force July to September 2009 27 said they located marijuana, chemicals used for cultivating marijuana, and other equipment related to the cultivation of marijuana throughout the residence in the living room, dining room, kitchen and child’s room. The street value of the marijuana seized was estimated at $241,000, deputies said……. http://www.turnto23.com/mountain/20732195/detail.html Six from Petaluma arrested; guns, pot, $800,000 in cash seized By RANDI ROSSMANN /THE PRESS DEMOCRAT /August 31, 2009 The case of a suspected Petaluma marijuana trafficking ring, allegedly headed by a risk-taking BASE jumper found with $750,000 cash at his Petaluma home, goes to court Monday afternoon……The suspected marijuana traffickers were discovered Friday after a traffic stop in Marin County by a CHP officer in Marin County. Twenty pounds of marijuana found in Badenhop’s car led Marin County Major Crimes Task Force officers north to Petaluma. After a day of searching five homes and one business, officers had six in custody and discovered $800,000 in cash, more than 60 pounds of processed marijuana, three indoor gardens with 420 plants, hundreds of vials of hash and hash oil and five handguns……. http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20090830/ARTICLES/908309989/1061/SPORTS0906?Title=6-from-Petaluma-arrested-guns-pot-800-000-in-cash-seized Riverside police looking for marijuana growers 6:38 PM | August 10, 2009 Authorities in Riverside are seeking the public’s help today after officers discovered 250 marijuana plants in what was described as a sophisticated indoor growing operation on a quiet residential street. The marijuana, estimated to be worth $750,000, was found by officers who served a search warrant Saturday on a home in the 19000 block of Marco Road in Riverside, the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department said. The residence was empty. It was outfitted with powerful growing lights and timers, authorities said. “It would be good for the community to get these [growers] off the street,” said Deputy Herlinda Valenzuela, a department spokeswoman. http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2009/08/riverside-police-l ooking-for-marijuana-growers.html Clovis Parents, Teen Arrested For Marijuana Charges Sep 29, 2009 04:13 PM PDT A Clovis family is behind bars; facing charges of cultivating and possessing marijuana. The arrests were part of a recent crackdown by Clovis Police to take drug dealers out of the city's Skate Park. An undercover investigation led police to serve a warrant on the family's home west of Sierra and Freeway 168, where officers discovered a hydroponic growing system, 75 plants and several pounds of high grade marijuana. Along with the drugs, officers found 13 longs guns and 10 handguns, some of which were loaded. The findings led police to arrest the occupants of the home, identified as 40-year-olds Audra and Carter Compolongo along with their 15-year-old son. They face charges of illegal cultivation of marijuana, possession of marijuana for sale, and sales of marijuana. Additional counts for the parents include furnishing marijuana to a minor, employing a minor to prepare marijuana for sale, maintaining a drug house, possession of dangerous fireworks, contributing to the delinquency of a minor, child endangerment and neglect, and being armed in the commission of a felony. Police believe that the family had been selling marijuana to dispensaries in the south valley, which is illegal. It was the undercover investigation by narcotics officers which led them to the Compolongo's, after an officer was Medical Marijuana and Associated Issues California Chiefs of Police Association Medical Marijuana Task Force July to September 2009 28 able to purchase marijuana from the 15-year-old son of the couple at the Skate Park…..Officers say the investigation revealed that those arrested were supplying dealers at the Skate Park. Three of the adults arrested have medical marijuana cards. http://www.kmph.com/Global/story.asp?S=11227201 Two GV men arrested for growing marijuana By Liz Kellar /Staff writer On Wednesday, the Nevada County Narcotics Task Force executed a search warrant in the 20000 block of Buck Ridge Road in Grass Valley after a month-long investigation. Once on scene, detectives found three people at the residence and discovered that the house was being rented by Hans Estes, 33, of Grass Valley. Detectives also located a large shop on the property that had been converted into a sophisticated indoor marijuana growing operation. The operation consisted of 528 female marijuana plants in various stages of growth. Estes allegedly admitted to deputies that he moved to the Nevada County area to grow the marijuana under two doctor recommendations for medicinal marijuana. Estes also allegedly admitted that he was selling the marijuana in the Bay Area at different co-operatives for $3,400 to $4,000 a pound……Smethers said the Narcotics Task Force is seeing larger operations that in the past and added that the plants they have been destroying could potentially yield 4 to 6 pounds of marijuana per plant……. http://www.theunion.com/article/20090925/NEWS/909249970/1007/NONE&parentprofile=1053 Contra Costa County drug agents, police bust two residential marijuana growing operations By Robert Salonga /Contra Costa Times /09/11/2009 CONTRA COSTA COUNTY — County drug agents broke up two residential marijuana growing operations in the past week, seizing nearly 2,000 plants worth more than $1 million. A raid on a Richmond home Thursday followed a traffic stop by the California Highway Patrol on Interstate 80 near Pinole the day before. The driver, Kwong Wing Cheng, 50, of El Cerrito consented to a car search, and CHP officers found about 100 immature marijuana plants and a paper bag filled with $27,330 in assorted bills. Cheng, who did not have a medical marijuana card, was arrested, police said……CCCNET agents and Richmond police served the warrant Thursday and arrested a man, identified as Yon Tao Jiang, 22, who was caught running out the back door. Agents found the entire four-bedroom residence and garage housed a sophisticated indoor marijuana grow, containing about 1,300 maturing plants worth about $820,000. PG&E determined that the power meter had been bypassed, allowing illegally obtained electricity to power the equipment. In Pittsburg, an anonymous tip led county drug agents and police to a marijuana home grow that was stealing so much electricity it could have powered an entire city block, Wielsch said. After a two-week investigation, drug agents and Pittsburg police…..found the four-bedroom home, its garage and an attached shed had been converted into a marijuana grow housing 580 medium-sized plants worth about $480,000. PG&E determined that the home, like the one in Richmond, was powered illegally after the growers bypassed the power meter. When all of the grow lights were activated, Wielsch said the electricity could power a city block. http://www.contracostatimes.com/news/ci_13318837?nclick_check=1 Medical Marijuana and Associated Issues California Chiefs of Police Association Medical Marijuana Task Force July to September 2009 29 Police bust illegal marijuana grow, make arrests Written by Lake County News Reports /Wednesday, 23 September 2009 CLEARLAKE – Late last week Clearlake Police officers shut down an illegal marijuana grow, found marijuana worth an estimated $600,000 and made several arrests……McClain said Officer Regan Stuller arrived on scene first, and as he approached the residence to conduct a compliance check he was overwhelmed by the distinct odor of fresh marijuana emitting from the residence and property……During the sweep of the house and property, officers discovered that the house and surrounding property was being used for an illegal commercial marijuana growing operation……A search warrant was obtained for the residence and surrounding property. As a result, McClain said officers seized 200 pounds of fresh high grade growing and drying marijuana with an estimated street value of $600,000. In addition, he said police seized two firearms, one of which is believed to have been stolen from the state of Nevada. He said it also was discovered that the suspects allegedly were stealing power to operate the indoor marijuana grow http://lakeconews.com/content/view/10465/764/ 400 marijuana plants discovered in narcotics bust Reported by: Kelly Bush /Friday, July 3, 2009 The Santa Barbara County Sheriff's narcotics detectives conducted a month long investigation. They discovered more than 400 marijuana plants and five pounds of processed marijuana with a street value of $20,000,……4 grams of cocaine, with a street value of $400, a usable amount of psilocybin, several ecstasy pills and approximately $18,000.00 in cash. Evidence located at the residence showed that all three suspects were illegally cultivating and selling the marijuana outside the scope of Proposition 215. During the month long operation FORD sold marijuana openly in the presence of an undercover officer. Additionally, FORD and SHAPIRO were shipping pounds of the processed marijuana to the East Coast, including New York and New Jersey. The total value of the marijuana plants seized during the investigation was estimated at $800,000……. http://www.ksby.com/Global/story.asp?S=10642734 Four arrested in connection with McCloud marijuana growing operation By Siskiyou County Sheriff's Office Daily News /Fri Jul 17, 2009, McCloud, Calif. -Four men were booked into the Siskiyou County Jail in connection with an indoor marijuana cultivation operation at a residence in McCloud…..All four suspects are charged with cultivation of marijuana, possession of marijuana/hashish for sale and renting a building for the purpose of unlawfully manufacturing any controlled substance. The charges against the four men stem from July 6, when a search warrant was served at the home by agents…….During a search of the house, 175 marijuana plants and over 61 pounds of processed marijuana were confiscated from inside. A 60 KW diesel generator was being used inside the house to power the 41 grow lights and ballasts and numerous fans and blowers used in the indoor cultivation operation, Gravenkamp said. The McCloud man who owns the house said he had rented the house to the suspects about a year and a half ago. The men have been released from custody with an August court date. http://www.siskiyoudaily.com/news/x863182916/Four-arrested-in-connection-with-McCloudmarijuana-growing-operation Medical Marijuana and Associated Issues California Chiefs of Police Association Medical Marijuana Task Force July to September 2009 30 Fortuna police arrest two for marijuana grow The Times-Standard /Posted: 07/04/2009 The Fortuna Police Department arrested two men Thursday after conducting search warrant at a residence on the 900 block of Park Heights Court, according to a press release. The search resulted in the discovery of a marijuana grow, 112 suspected tablets of Ecstasy, psilocybin mushrooms, a marijuana hash laboratory, an AR-15 assault rifle, suspected child pornography and several items believed to be associated with the sexual exploitation of a child. Daniel Jason Rivera Hendrix, 31, was arrested on suspicion of drug-related violations with prior conviction, as well as possession of child pornography. Brandon Garrett Thompson, 24, was arrested on suspicion of drug-related violations with a prior conviction. http://www.willitsnews.com/ci_12753033?source=most_emailed During this quarter medical studies or analysis of medical studies were published which discussed the physical impacts associated with the use of marijuana. Discussed was marijuana’s effect on the body’s lungs, cells, mental capacity as well as marijuana’s usefulness as a deterrent to pain. Smoking marijuana has toxic effects on cells 6. August 2009 02:20 In a finding that challenges the increasingly popular belief that smoking marijuana is less harmful to health than smoking tobacco, researchers in Canada are reporting that smoking marijuana, like smoking tobacco, has toxic effects on cells. Their study is scheduled for the Aug. 17 issue of ACS' Chemical Research in Toxicology, a monthly journal. Rebecca Maertens and colleagues note that people often view marijuana as a "natural" product and less harmful than tobacco. As public attitudes toward marijuana change and legal restrictions ease in some countries, use of marijuana is increasing. Scientists know that marijuana smoke has adverse effects on the lungs. However, there is little knowledge about marijuana's potential to cause lung cancer due to the difficulty in identifying and studying people who have smoked only marijuana. The new study begins to address that question by comparing marijuana smoke vs. tobacco smoke in terms of toxicity to cells and to DNA. Scientists exposed cultured animal cells and bacteria to condensed smoke samples from both marijuana and tobacco. There were distinct differences in the degree and type of toxicity elicited by marijuana and cigarette smoke. Marijuana smoke caused significantly more damage to cells and DNA than tobacco smoke, the researchers note. However, tobacco smoke caused chromosome damage while marijuana did not. http://www.news-medical.net/news/20090806/Smoking-marijuana-has-toxic-effects-on -cells.aspx Marijuana ingredients make acute pain worse Charlotte Health and Happiness Examiner /Kathleen Blanchard RN /August 13, University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston researchers have been exploring pain. Questions about why some pain persists, while other types of pain can vanish quickly, led the scientist to explore the endocannabinoid system in the human body and how the pain response works. Endocannibinoids in the human body are closely related to compounds found in marijuana – cannabinoids. The researchers explain how systems in the spinal cord balance signals that reach the brain. Study authors Professor Volker Neugebauer, and colleagues say, "Excitatory systems act like a car's accelerator, and inhibitory ones act like the brakes. What we found is that in the spinal cord endocannabinoids can disable the Medical Marijuana and Associated Issues California Chiefs of Police Association Medical Marijuana Task Force July to September 2009 31 brakes." The researchers used the spinal cords of mice to determine the inhibitory effect of endocannabinoids on pain. They found that after applying a biochemical that mimics an endocannabinoid to nerve cells, there was a response to pain. When they studied the spinal cord of mice that lacked receptors for endocannabinoids, they found the pain response was blocked. "The next step was to make the leap from spinal slices to test whether this really had anything to do with pain," Neugebauer said. The researchers induced pain akin to an intense toothache in anesthetized rats, using capsaicin, found in hot peppers. They were able to measure signals racing up the spinal cords of the mice. The mice became more sensitive to pain. Blocking endocannabinoids made the pain response disappear……Persisten t pain is notoriously difficult to treat, and this study offers insight into new mechanisms and possibly a new target in the spinal cord." Endocannabinoids and cannabinoids in marijuana are biochemically similar. "If you had a toothache, you probably wouldn't want to treat it with marijuana, because you could actually make it worse. Now, for more pathological conditions like neuropathic pain, where the problem is a dysfunction within the nerves themselves and a subsequent disturbance throughout the nervous system that's not confined to the pain system, marijuana may be beneficial. There are studies that seem to show that. But our model shows cannabinoids over-activating the pain system, and it just doesn't seem like a good idea to further increase this effect”, says Neugebauer. The study challenges the notion that marijuana could relieve acute pain, and shows that endocannabinoids, closely related to marijuana ingredients, might actually make pain worse. http://www.examiner.com/x-14041-Charlotte-Health-and-Happiness-Examiner~y2009m8d13-Marijuana-ingredients-make-acute-pain-worse Growing Evidence Of Marijuana Smoke's Potential Dangers Science Daily (Aug. 5, 2009) — In a finding that challenges the increasingly popular belief that smoking marijuana is less harmful to health than smoking tobacco, researchers in Canada are reporting that smoking marijuana, like smoking tobacco, has toxic effects on cells. Rebecca Maertens and colleagues note that people often view marijuana as a "natural" product and less harmful than tobacco. As public attitudes toward marijuana change and legal restrictions ease in some countries, use of marijuana is increasing. Scientists know that marijuana smoke has adverse effects on the lungs. However, there is little knowledge about marijuana's potential to cause lung cancer due to the difficulty in identifying and studying people who have smoked only marijuana. The new study begins to address that question by comparing marijuana smoke vs. tobacco smoke in terms of toxicity to cells and to DNA. Scientists exposed cultured animal cells and bacteria to condensed smoke samples samples from both marijuana and tobacco. There were distinct differences in the degree and type of toxicity elicited by marijuana and cigarette smoke. Marijuana smoke caused significantly more damage to cells and DNA than tobacco smoke, the researchers note. However, tobacco smoke caused chromosome damage while marijuana did not. http://www.leanbulk.com/forum/ask-dr-houser/8616-growing-evidence-marijuana-smokes-potentialdangers.html Medical Marijuana and Associated Issues California Chiefs of Police Association Medical Marijuana Task Force July to September 2009 32 Cannabis smokers have a seven-fold schizophrenia risk KEVIN FRAYER/CP Harper government devotes funds to studying the link between marijuana use and mental illness THE CANADIAN PRESS /Aug 19, 2009 10:55 AM WINNIPEG – The Harper government is putting up $550,000 to gather research on marijuana use and mental illness. The Schizophrenia Society of Canada will use the money to further research the links between cannabis and early psychosis as well as develop promotional materials warning youth about the dangers of smoking pot. The money is part of Ottawa's $30 million national anti-drug strategy announced in 2007. Chris Summerville, CEO of the Schizophrenia Society, said the public doesn't realize that cannabis users have a seven-fold increase in risk of developing schizophrenia. He pointed to recent research out of Victoria, B.C., linking pot smoking and mental illness. As part part of the society's research, some 30 youths who have experienced psychosis will be trained to gather information about the reasons their peers use cannabis. The results will be used to develop educational materials aimed at decreasing the use of illicit drugs among young people. Winnipeg Conservative MP Joy Smith said Tuesday that while the public regards marijuana as a soft drug, there may be very serious consequences for young pot smokers who have a predisposition to mental illness. "Science has shown that cannabis may actually trigger the onset of psychosis and may also intensify the symptoms for those who already have a psychotic illness," Smith said in announcing the grant. "It has been suggested that up to 80 per cent of youth who have had a psychotic episode were using cannabis. And that's pretty shocking," said Smith, who was filling in for Health Minister Leona Aglukkaq at news conference. http://www.thestar.com/article/682905 Official and scientific facts on medical marijuana September 9, 8:46 AM Portland Drug Policy Examiner John English Drug legalization proponents often quote (only) partial statements of the Institute Of Medicine’s (IOM) report on medical marijuana, . . . as if that document supports their position. It does not. Read the statements below, and you will see for yourself. Also, please note, the following medical associations agree that marijuana has no documented medical value and do not accept smoked marijuana as medicine: * The American Medical Association * The British Medical Association * The American Cancer Society * The American Academy of Pediatrics * The National Multiple Sclerosis Society What the IOM found was: * … they cautioned that the active compounds in marijuana may have medicinal potential and therefore should be researched further. However the study concluded that “there is little future in smoked marijuana as a medically approved medication. [ 1 ] “For some ailments … potential therapeutic value of cannabinoid drugs, primarily THC, for pain relief, control of nausea and vomiting, and appetite stimulation.” [ 2 ] (11) They added: “the effects of cannabinoids on the symptoms studied are generally modest, and in most cases there are more effective medications.” [ 3 ] In concluding, they stated that, at best, there is only anecdotal information on the medical benefits of smoked marijuana for some ailments, such as muscle ‘spasticity’. For