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Pot thefts increase with harvest season

Thu, Oct 09, 2008 12:36 pm

GRASS VALLEY — Three recent marijuana thefts continue to point toward greater crime with the harvesting season underway.

"We are seeing (pot thefts) all over the county," Sgt. Bill Smethers with the Nevada County Narcotics Task Force said. "But no one has been arrested (so far)."

Three callers to the Sheriff's department have recently reported the theft of marijuana.

People often hesitate to contact law enforcement officers when a theft occurs because "they could have illegal activities that they don't want law enforcement to know of," Smethers said. "Or, perhaps they fear retaliation from those who've stolen from them. ...

"Someone got ripped off down the street from where I live, and it never got reported," Smethers added.

Those who steal the plants often come from out of the area, knowing there's a greater chance of finding marijuana in a rural setting like Nevada County, Smethers said.

In any case, pot plants are more accessible now with people growing medical marijuana openly in their backyards, said Sgt. Doug Wren with the Grass Valley Police Department.

"If you're going to legalize growing marijuana, you're going to find more people who'll want to steal it," Wren added.

"If the weather holds out, (growers) leave the plants out in the open for as long as possible," Smethers said. "If there is morning dew or rain which can cause the plant to mildew, people will harvest them."

The marijuana harvest season typically spans October and early November, Smethers said.

» add a comment

tomcatrucker

Oct 16 2008, 5:24 pm

I have to agree with Redwolf.Rain and Dew are common.If that's the case they would never get out of the ground.

NorthCoast

Oct 13 2008, 12:54 pm

Danny D,

I have been a supporter for a almost two decades now (since before I could drive) and do support your efforts. My problem is this; the local media in Mendocino County has pciked up on the story of the tiefs from Sacramento who came to Mendocino County because of "hightimes." As you likely know, the same conservative media in Mendocino County last june led to the repeal of Measure G (first personal use initiative passed in the Country). Now raids have increased. This year, theft and violence is up in the County (at least the amount reported). So, all I ask is this; if you will write (in an International Magazine) about how easy it is to find Marijauna in Mendocino County, please also make your presence known in the local media in a positive light as well (not that the abundance of the glorious herb is not positive, but the presentation of the material leads to negative). Also, how about an articel on "lame-o rippers" once a year. Maybe make 'em feel self-consciencous or bad about themsleves for their actions.

In any event, there is a stron anti-marijuana sentiment in Mendocino County these days; one which never used to exist and I can't help but think that advertisement hasn't helped.

danny malak

Oct 12 2008, 11:10 am

Yeah maybe you guys should stop giving those assholes tips on where to steal our shit...let's think about it hightimes hah

wish I could

Oct 10 2008, 9:17 pm

Say a prayer for us poor souls that have families, mortgages, health insurance and can't partake and lose it all.

Redwolf

Oct 10 2008, 12:25 pm

"If you're going to legalize growing marijuana, you're going to find more people who'll want to steal it," Wren added

Dude, the thieves don't care if it is legal or not. Sorry you don't agree with the legal status. It's the will of the people who are changing the laws that govern them.

"If there is morning dew or rain which can cause the plant to mildew, people will harvest them."

So, they harvest when it rains? Every time it rains? Or they have to deal with mildew? How does that work? How do they ever get mature buds using this process?

Typical comments from the ignorant.

Yeah,

Oct 10 2008, 11:46 am

it's a bitch being "legal" and you can't even grow outside without some dick heads stealing your plants. Maybe someday if it get's cheap and legal. It would save me a couple hundred of bucks annually in electric bills that I could be investing in the stock market.

Vegan

Oct 10 2008, 2:35 am

how about you find a place to grow in your house if u don't want your legal pot stolen if it's out in the open then it's going to get stolen if it worth anything (common sense)

dedicated-head

Oct 9 2008, 10:56 pm

why steal others plants when u can grow ur own plus if u get caught growing u get u no wutever charges but if u get caught stealing plants u get the same charges and theft so wutevr

blaze on potheads

kinder

Oct 9 2008, 6:31 pm

END CANNIBUS PRO-BITCH'N................NOW!!!!!!!!!!

joeballs89

Oct 9 2008, 5:58 pm

"If you're going to legalize growing marijuana, you're going to find more people who'll want to steal it," Wren added"

I believe the opposite would be true. You would find less people who will want to steal ganja because everyone and anyone would be allowed to cultivate it. The reason people are stealing it is because they are not allowed to grow it while those who medicinally possess and cultivate are. Sorry Johnny Law, you have the wrong idea yet again.

cx420ns

Oct 9 2008, 4:20 pm

GRASS VALLEY????

come on now.....

danny danko

Oct 9 2008, 3:02 pm

Right, because they never would have figured out where to find pot plants if they hadn't read about them in HT. I hate to break it to ya, North Coast, but it's no secret. Us not covering it in HT won't make the CAMP choopers and asshole rippers go away.

Legalization and taxation is the only way to free your farms and release the medicine to those that need it.

You can hate all you want but we're helping get people growing their own all over the world, partly in order to reduce the pressure on places like where you live. We're gonna keep the info out there. Just cause some douche-bags use that info unwisely doesn't mean it shouldn't exist. Peace, DD

NorthCoast

Oct 9 2008, 2:53 pm

Of course thefts increase during harvest. That's about the only time you can smell them out and only time worth someone's while.
I'd like to send a Thanks but NO Thanks to High times. REcent arrests of Marijuana thiefs have referenced High Times Articles as the reason they came to Mendocino County to steal plants. Next time, think about the repercussions of your articles. They aren't all helping the cause. How about an anti-rip off article?

Reality Check

Oct 9 2008, 1:29 pm

soooo ..whats new ?