![](https://www.nwpb.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/PotFile.jpg)
In Era Of Legalization, Illegal Marijuana Grows (And Busts) Continue In Northwest States
Listen
Recreational marijuana may be legal in Washington and Oregon, but police continue to bust illegal pot operations that aren’t licensed by the state.
The latest numbers from the Washington State Patrol show that 89 illegal marijuana grow operations were shut down in Washington in the past year. Some were indoor grows, most were outdoor.
In total police seized 24,000 marijuana plants, more than 100 weapons and made more than 100 arrests. The total value of assets seized was nearly $2 million.
This represents a big jump from 2016 except in one category: the number of plants seized. That number is down significantly this year. The State Patrol said that’s because federal funding for marijuana eradication on public lands was cut. Usually those grows are identified by spotters in an airplane or helicopter.
In recent months, U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions has expressed concern about black market marijuana operations in states like Washington and Oregon where regulated pot is legal. But so far, the Justice Department has not intervened.
Related Stories:
![Retreat fire in-Rimrock-area, Yakima-County. (Credit: Inciweb)](https://www.nwpb.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Retreat-fire-in-Rimrock-area-Yakima-County-500x500.jpg)
Intense fire week forces road closures and evacuation notices in WA
Fire crews continue firing wildfires to keep on high alert in the Northwest.
![](https://www.nwpb.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/groundbreaking-500x500.jpg)
‘We’re just getting started’ | Haaland highlights major salmon recovery effort with $16M investment
U.S. Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland celebrated with Gov. Jay Inslee, state, local, and Native American tribal leaders break ground at the new passage facility Wednesday, July 24, 2024
![Creator and host Alec Cowan’s shadow during a tour of the Sunday Mine Complex, a complex of five uranium mines in the Big Gypsum Valley near Paradox, Colorado, on Feb. 19, 2024.](https://www.nwpb.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Alec_Mine-Shadow-500x500.jpg)
Boom Town: New Northwest-made podcast explores Western uranium mining and Hanford downwinders
Creator and host Alec Cowan’s shadow during a tour of the Sunday Mine Complex, a complex of five uranium mines in the Big Gypsum Valley near Paradox, Colorado, on Feb.