Calaveras County is referenced in the article below as a good example of the problems.
The people of Calaveras County recognize that the County needs to ban commercial cultivation of marijuana.
This commercial industry has moved into our communities, neighborhoods and County turning residential property zones into commercial marijuana cultivation zones. Many of these commercial grows are being protected with firearms, guard dogs and thugs. Commercial marijuana cultivation is presently causing environmental damage in Calaveras County. Violations at some purportedly organic grows include unlawful chemical releases, illegal use, storage, and disposal of hazardous materials and hazardous waste including fungicides, herbicides, pesticides, rodenticides, and use of some chemicals so toxic, they've been banned for years in the U.S. Growers are diverting our streams to support their marijuana irrigation systems, against the Clean Water Act. This type of activity is putting children and families health, safety and welfare at unnecessary risk. Regulation will not prohibit this commercial activity from taking place in your neighborhoods or keep it away from your families and your homes.
The Ban Commercial Cultivation group continues to be dedicated and working hard to get a ban on commercial cultivation of marijuana and commercial marijuana activities that are taking place in our neighborhoods and communities.
Regnery: Feds Should Prosecute California Marijuana Farmers for Devastating the Environment | Breitbart
In California, the crop ranks between lettuce and grapes; total sales in the state, according the Los Angeles Times, will top $21 billion by 2021. In Colorado, where marijuana is also legal, revenues stood at just over $1 billion last year, adding $2.4 billion to the state's economy.
Ban Commercial Cultivation
in Calaveras County
Breaking News...Calaveras Board of Supervisors Votes To Ban Commercial Cannabis
San Andreas, CA...Breaking News...Calaveras Board of Supervisors just voted to ban commercial cannabis cultivation in the county. The vote was 3-2 after a motion failed for a vote on the regulation ordinance. The vote was Tofanelli, Mills & Clapp for the ban.
Calaveras County Cannabis
Toxic chemicals in illegal pot grows raise concerns
Researchers, law enforcement and others are raising alarms about toxic chemicals used on illegal grow sites in mountain forests and foothill areas of California where people grow and process marijuana, including Calaveras County and the Stanislaus National Forest. There's concern for more damage to watersheds, wildlife and water supplies, more
The environmental damage being done by pot grows in Calaveras is a serious issue folks. "Asked if anyone with Calaveras County is tracking or trying to track how much toxic waste is coming off illegal and LEGAL, registered grows in Calaveras County, Brad Banner, the county’s environmental management administrator, said, “We're trying to get a handle on that,” he said."
Ban Ordinance Adopted January 10, 2018
Ban Commercial cultivation activities in Calaveras County
Toxic Chemicals Killing California Wildlife At Illegal Marijuana Grows
LASSEN NATIONAL FOREST (KPIX 5) - It's a massive crime scene, deep in Lassen National Forest. Through dense ground cover and brutal terrain, federal agents are making their way to what might well qualify as an industrial-scale farm operation. There are living quarters, kitchens, bathrooms and trash dumps, all for the purpose of growing a lot of marijuana.