Pubdate: Tue, 01 Sep 2015
Source: Sacramento Bee (CA)
Copyright: 2015 The Sacramento Bee
Contact: http://mapinc.org/url/0n4cG7L1
Website: http://www.sacbee.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/376
Author: Kathryn Phillips
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v15/n495/a02.html

POT FARMS' IMPACT NEEDS ATTENTION

Re "State wants pot farms to become water-wise" (Page 1A, Aug. 30): 
It's encouraging that elected officials and regulatory agencies are 
finally seriously addressing legal cannabis cultivation's 
environmental impacts and trying to bring cultivators into compliance 
with existing law regarding water use. However, the focus needs to be 
broadened to include the breadth of environmental impacts.

The photos accompanying The Sacramento Bee's article about the 
special enforcement program on cannabis cultivation were a stark 
reminder that cultivators clear cut large swaths of forest land, 
which breaks up forest ecosystems and damages wildlife habitat and corridors.

Are the cultivators doing this in compliance with state laws? Is 
pesticide usage consistent with state law?

In many cases, the answer is no. And the result is serious 
environmental damage at a time when, given the effects of climate 
change, intact forests and protected wildlife are more important than 
ever to ensure species survival.

Kathryn Phillips,

Sacramento
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom