New Santa Cruz Co. Sheriff's Team To Go After Large Pot Grows

The Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office has announced the formation of a marijuana compliance team to address concerns about large-scale marijuana grows and related environmental degradation. Investigating butane oil hash-labs will be a priority for the new team.

There have been five fires started by hash oil labs in Santa Cruz County so far this year, according to sheriff’s Lt. Kelly Kent. Their responsibilities will also include mitigating neighborhood nuisances, investigating “quality of life” issues and the environmental problems caused by unpermitted roads and illegal grading.

The new team will work to enforce civil laws and other violations not covered under California’s penal code by collaborating with the planning and environmental health departments, as well as Cal Fire, the Department of Fish and Wildlife and the Santa Cruz County District Attorney’s Office, Kent said.

Sheriff Jim Hart said the marijuana compliance team will also work with the community to ensure the needs of medical marijuana patients are met without compromising neighborhood safety.

--Bay City News

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