CAMP (CAMPAIGN AGAINST MARIJUANA PLANTING) SEASON BEGINS

Commander Val Jimenez of CAMP was interviewed on KMUD radio on July 16 saying CAMP would respect local medical marijuana cultivation guidelines in the 40-45 California counties (of 58) where the campaign is expected to be active this year. Jimenez stressed that CAMP would look for large gardens, noting that in 2003 the average grow busted by CAMP was 2500 plants, versus 300-500 plants in 1994. Also, 75% of the 466,054 plants seized last year by CAMP were on public lands. Jimenez claimed marijuana growing was violent business because four suspects were killed last year in CAMP raids. The program is starting two weeks earlier than in previous years, on July 19. See http://caag.state.ca.us/newsalerts/2004/04-074.htm