In California, Inspection of Pot Farms Moves Out of the Weeds

California officials are considering policies to protect the state's water resources from the growing problems associated with legal marijuana cultivation. The proliferation of farms, both legal and illegal, has exploded in the state due to the loosening of legal prohibitions on the sale of marijuana. After initially declining to place its agency inspectors at risk, the Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board approved allowing its field personnel to accompany law enforcement to inspect marijuana farms. Today, marijuana is believed to be the state's biggest cash crop, with an annual harvest worth at least $14 billion. Typically located on public lands, these operations use construction equipment and industrial fertilizers to maximize production.