View 1 more
Grace, ID marijuana bust. The amount of marijuana that law enforcement agencies had to deal at a find west of Grace, Idaho, Wedesday Aug. 1, 2012, was so great that they needed a front loader and dump trucks to dispose of the plants. A sophisticated m Idaho State Journal,Doug Lindley, Associated Press
View 1 more
An Idaho National Guard helicopter is used to transport the maarijuana out of a sophisticated growing operation Wednesday Aug. 1, 2012, found in the hard to access hills south of Grace, Idaho. The crop was estimated at a value of $80.5 million dollars. Idaho State Journal,Doug Lindley, Associated Press
By Associated Press

SEATTLE — Federal data shows the number of marijuana plants seized from outdoor and indoor grow operations has dropped in most states over the past three years.

In 2010, authorities seized 10.32 million marijuana plants from outdoor and indoor growing operations, the Drug Enforcement Administration reported. By 2011, that number had dropped to 6.7 million plants — a 35 percent drop.

Drug Enforcement Administration officials say shifts in tactics from growers, weather patterns and budget cuts to local and state agencies have played roles in the significant decrease in eradication.

Join the Conversation
Looking for comments?
Find comments in their new home! Click the buttons at the top or within the article to view them — or use the button below for quick access.