NCJ Number
218185
Date Published
February 2007
Length
122 pages
Annotation
Using reporting and data provided by the Office of National Drug Control Policy, the National Marijuana Initiative, and numerous Federal, State, and local law enforcement agencies, this report presents a national-level assessment of cannabis cultivation and marijuana production in the United States in 2007.
Abstract
Domestic cannabis cultivation has increased sharply since 2000, as more drug trafficking organizations (DTOs) relocate cannabis cultivation operations from Mexico and Canada to the United States. These DTOs are relocating in order to reduce the risk of marijuana seizure or loss during cross-border transport, gain direct access to local drug markets, and achieve higher profit margins. Domestic outdoor cannabis cultivation by Mexican DTOs is most prevalent in remote and isolated areas of U.S. public and private lands, primarily in California, Oregon, and Washington. Mexican DTOs, however, are expanding cannabis cultivation eastward, including into some areas east of the Mississippi River. The Mexican DTOs that have established grow sites in new areas of the United States maintain direct contact with larger DTOs in California and Mexico. Indoor domestic cannabis cultivation is increasing in order to reduce detection and produce marijuana with higher potency, which increases profits. White criminal groups are the predominant indoor producers of marijuana in the country; they are concentrated in the Appalachian Region. Indoor domestic cannabis cultivation by Asian DTOs is increasing, however. This is a concern because many are well-organized, Canada-based groups that produce and distribute high-potency marijuana. Violent incidents by outdoor cannabis growers against law enforcement officers are increasing, most likely because of increased law enforcement pressure and eradication. These law enforcement measures, however, have not yet reduced the increase in domestic cannabis cultivation, either outdoors or indoors. 19 tables and appended maps that show the locations where marijuana is cultivated