At a community meeting to discuss the on-going wildfires, some residents suggested that the fire fighters be deployed in a manner that would protect their weed farms from the fires.

Sheriff Tom Allman responded:

Quote:"Let's talk about the 'M' word," Allman said he told them, "We are not willing to use this fire to perform marijuana investigations, but we're also not going to put firefighters on the lines to protect it."

Apparently some of the residents were more concerned about their crops than their, and others', homes.

That's hilarious. I'm sure that the Taliban didn't want our Dept. of Defense burning their Poppy Fields either.

The only article I could find does not provide any context for the chief's quote, but it does mention this.

Quote:The pot economy here is a double-edged sword. It draws down heavily on resources like water, but it also provides cash to sustain local businesses, schools and government services.

http://www.cnbc.com/id/101917784

When your economy is based on a crop, it's not entirely unreasonable to be concerned with protecting it during a wildfire. Obviously other things are more important, but that's why the context of the concern is important.

Sounds like the makings of a very large party ! Pass the Cupcakes.

(08-15-2014 10:45 AM)jh Wrote:  The only article I could find does not provide any context for the chief's quote, but it does mention this.

Quote:The pot economy here is a double-edged sword. It draws down heavily on resources like water, but it also provides cash to sustain local businesses, schools and government services.

http://www.cnbc.com/id/101917784

When your economy is based on a crop, it's not entirely unreasonable to be concerned with protecting it during a wildfire. Obviously other things are more important, but that's why the context of the concern is important.

You're probably right (at least for the sub-culture that would make this the basis of an economy) but it is funnier out of context.

As someone who has actually had to make the decision when and where to deploy firefighters I can say there is almost no chance that I would deploy crews to protect any kind of farm crop, and most certainly wouldn't deploy them to protect an illegal marijuana grow.