The rise of medical marijuana and resulting boom in pot farms has stressed the delicate habitats of California’s North Coast and other regions. Scientists say marijuana farmers are spraying pesticides, removing trees and siphoning water. We’ll discuss the ecological impacts of this growing industry.
The Environmental Costs of Growing Pot
(Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
Guests:
Anthony (Tony) Silvaggio, lecturer in the department of sociology at Humboldt State University, and an environmental sociologist with the newly formed Humboldt Institute for Interdisciplinary Marijuana Research
Scott Greacen, executive director of Friends of the Eel River, a nonprofit dedicated to restoring the Eel River and tributaries
Charley Custer, marijuana grower and co-founder of the Tea House Collective, a collective of Humboldt farmers who grow organic, sustainably farmed cannabis
Scott Bauer, staff environmental scientist for the California Department of Fish and Game
Mike Jakubal, documentary filmmaker, environmental activist and 20-year resident of Humboldt County
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