Illegal Cannabis Farms Poisoning Wildlife

Illegal cannabis farms along the west coast of the US are infringing on the natural habitats of wild animals and poisoning their food and water sources with illegal pesticides that have been banned by the Environmental Protection Agency. 

In addition to these illegal pesticides, fertilizers, clothing, plastics, and other kinds of trash now pollute the areas.

Kevin Mayer, a US Forest Service law enforcement assistant special agent in charge, said, “The true crime here is the fact that they’re killing off basically America’s public lands, killing off the wildlife, killing off our water. This is stuff that, you know, it’s not going to repair itself.”

Illegal cannabis is not necessarily the problem to wildlife, it is the heavily administering of poisons and pesticides. Gallons of carbofuran, a banned pesticide, were also discovered at one illegal cannabis site that was raided by police. 

Wildlife ecologist Greta WengertIt, said, “It is incredibly toxic. A quarter-teaspoon could kill a 600-pound black bear. So obviously, just a tiny amount can kill a human. It remains in an ecosystem for a long period of time.”

Illegal cannabis farms are proving to be a fatal problem for the ecosystem and wildlife, especially as the call for cannabis grows in the US. This is also a severe health risk to humans as these chemicals are coming into direct contact with the cannabis plants.

Sign this petition asking the Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations (FAO) to create a task force in charge of transitioning global agricultural practices away from pesticides!

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