California authorities shut down four illegal marijuana dispensaries and arrested nine people in a coordinated raid that seized hundreds of pounds of illegal drugs.
The Kern County Sheriff’s Office led the February 12 operation in Rosamond, California, working with multiple state and federal agencies.
Officers seized 330 pounds of processed marijuana, 212 pounds of THC edibles, 324 pounds of THC concentrates, over 3,000 vape cartridges, and 46 pounds of psilocybin mushrooms and edibles.
Contrary to popular belief, marijuana legalization in California and elsewhere has actually emboldened drug cartels and contributed to the spread of illegal marijuana on the black market.
California has seized more than $1.2 billion in illegal cannabis since 2022. In Maine, authorities have said there are hundreds of illegal growing operations connected to Chinese organized crime groups. Oklahoma’s lax marijuana laws have created similar issues, with law enforcement alleging that 40% of America’s black market marijuana has come from legal grow sites in Oklahoma. And Arkansas State Police routinely confiscate marijuana from these states.
Despite promises of regulation, oversight, and tax revenue, states that have legalized marijuana still battle organized crime, black market operations, and public safety threats.
Arkansans should remember all of this when it comes to any proposals to expand marijuana. Marijuana may be many things, but “harmless” simply is not one of them.
Articles appearing on this website are written with the aid of Family Council’s researchers and writers.
