Marijuana Economy thrives in California

• By Cali Shaye
• Growing Marijuana
• 14 years ago
• 25

Marijuana is being grown in homes, backyards, even in our national parks. Since the 1960s, the so-called Emerald Triangle — Northern California’s Mendocino, Humboldt and Trinity counties — has increasingly become the haven for people looking to make a living growing marijuana. This is as natural as growing corn to me, he said. This is the lifeblood of the county. And it has been for more than 30 years. Morrison walks a fine line. He grows as much marijuana as he can without triggering a legal crackdown. He can do that because authorities here are overwhelmed by the sheer number of growers. Theyre also hampered by conflicting state, federal and county laws governing marijuana. Marijuana is the major cash crop here. A county-commissioned study reports pot accounts for up to two-thirds of the local economy. I dont think theres anything more important in this economy. To take this out would be a major blow, said Morrison. Though reliable numbers are hard to come by, marijuana growers in Mendocino County generate an estimated $1 billion a year. That makes the area home to a sizable chunk of a national market for marijuana believed to be in the tens of billions of dollars. Mendocino local Eric Sligh took CNBC on a tour of one backyard garden. These marijuana plants in Mendocino County can sometimes reach 14, 15, 20 feet, he said. A plant that yields about two pounds would be worth about $5000, said Sligh; his crop of 20 plants is potentially worth $100000. Slighs expertise in …