On this recent episode of “California Insider”, Humboldt County Sheriff Billy Honsal provides a first-hand account to the issues of illicit cannabis trafficking and associated crimes like human trafficking, labor exploitation, violent crime, and environmental damage from these grows sites in the “Emerald Triangle”.  

This is an informative and thought-provoking account into what marijuana trafficking really looks like, and the hazards it represents to public health and safety interests.  

View Time: ~30 minutes

Photo: California Insider

This study demonstrates that the issue of driving under the influence of cannabis (DUIC) is of concern as its legalization continues for highway safety officials. In Australia, law enforcement uses oral fluid testing to detect drugs such as cannabis, methamphetamine, and ecstasy (MDMA) and portable breath testing for alcohol detection. 73% responded identified medical cannabis as the primary or only source of the cannabis used. Daily use was reported in 59% of the survey respondent (n=1,543). 

By THC product type of choice was:

-Predominantly THC products: 42.6% (n=826)

-THC / CBD combined products:23.9% (n=546)

-THC only products: 19% (n=434)

The preferred routes of THC administration were:

-Vaporization: 36.4% (n=918)

-Oral administration: 32.8% (n=826)

-Smoking: 19% (n=434)

Read time: 10-15 minutes

Photo: Pexels.com / Kindel Media

Researchers (Hsu, M., Et.al.) examined over 2,500 publications regarding cannabis and medical issues (a meta-analysis) spanning 15 years (2010 – 2025). As a result, researchers found that the use of cannabis was associated to higher risks of psychotic symptoms, generalized anxiety disorders (GAD), adverse coronary effects (heart attacks), and higher risk of having a stroke. Also noted was that from studies, 29 percent of individuals who use cannabis for medicinal purposes met the diagnostic criteria for having a cannabis use disorder (CUD).  “Evidence-based guidelines do not recommend the use of inhaled or high-potency cannabis (=/>10% or 10 mg Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol [Δ9-THC]) for medical purposes.”

The authors did acknowledge that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have approved specific conditions for which cannabinoids can be used to treat specific symptoms of specific disorders such as, “….HIV/AIDS – related anorexia, chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting, and certain pediatric seizure disorders”. Greater research needs to be conducted into the medical application of cannabis, as a therapeutic agent, for specific conditions, to close this information gap. 

Read time: ~ 5 minutes 

Photo: Unsplash.com / Alves, F. 

The researchers (Black, G et.al.) examined several historic illicit cannabis cultivation sites located on U.S. Forest land in California. The goal was to obtain samples of topsoil and sediments from streambeds to assess the residual presence of contaminants used during these illegal growing operations. In all, over 200 chemical contaminants were detected in the samples because growers applied toxic substances to the cannabis crop during their growing season. Of additional concern is these same plants exposed to chemicals enter the public use market where these toxins are consumed during use.

Some contaminants were detected as recent as 8 months after the growing had stopped, while of samples were still present 2 years after the last grow operation. Examples of the contaminants detected included pesticides, fungicides, plasticizers (from PVC piping), and even cannabinoids from the cannabis plants.  Also detected in the samples were pharmaceuticals such as anticonvulsants, anti-inflammatories, and prescription sleep aids. Also “personal care” products constituents were detected. 

The content of this research project is well worth the time to read as an educational tool. 

Read Time: ~15 minutes

Photo:  Integral Ecology Research Center (IERC)

Banned chemicals depicted in IERC photo were recovered from trespass cannabis grow on U.S. Forest Land

Human trafficking associated to drug dealing is not specific to the United States and can be found in other countries around the world. The trafficking of foreign nationals for the illicit sex market is also a problem associated to the act of human trafficking.

This summary offers a brief look at Transnational Criminal Organizations linked to the People’s Republic of China and their ongoing involvement in the domestic cultivation of illicit cannabis in America. To date, these scenarios have played out from the West Coast to the East Coast. Human trafficking cases present unique problems to law-enforcement from language barriers, recognizing human trafficking victims, and access to resources, to help safeguard those victims. 

Read time: < 5 minutes

Photo: MIG A.I. and unsplash.com / bkaraivanov

This is a comprehensive and well written document for anyone seeking information specific to cannabis and the state of California.

Read Time: 60 minutes +

Photo: California HIDTA

This briefing summary was prepared to provide an overview of the scope and scale that these illegal cannabis operations are having in the United States. These illicit operations have been discovered from coast to coast. This summary utilized open-source media, news reports, and data from government agencies to assist the reader in developing a basic understanding of the impact these PRC – TCOs are having in this country domestically. 

Additional reports regarding illicit cannabis trafficking, associated criminal conduct and entities linked to the PRC will be released as supplemental information. 

Read Time: 5 – 10 minutes

Image: MIG / Open AI

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Researchers, Kamel, I (et.al.), conducted a retrospective study of patient health records (N= 4,636,628), from 2010 – 2018, for subjects aged 50 years and younger. The large cohort was separated into two groups, those with a cannabis use diagnosis (N=93,267) and non-users (N=4,543,361). Research made sure there was no bias from a pre-existing condition or risk factors. When compared to non-user group, findings for the cannabis use were:

• 15-fold prevalence for depressive episodes
• 6-fold greater risk of Myocardial Infarction (MI)
• 4-fold greater risk of a stroke
• 3-fold greater risk of a Major Adverse Cardiac Event (MACE)
• 2-fold greater risk of heart failure

Of interest here is the time frame used for the analysis of 2010 – 2018. Even during the early days of legalization, the authors observed the significance of this in that, “This analysis provides evidence linking cannabis-use to adverse cardiovascular events, including MI, ischemic, stroke, heart, failure, and mortality.”

Read Time: 5-10 minutes

Photo: MIG

Researchers noted that this multi-phase project involved 2,000 “current” cannabis consumers, (THC in any form) from eight states, with legal cannabis (medical or commercial adult use). They responded to questionnaires on their cannabis use and driving behavior. Some of the findings were:

• 84% of cannabis consumers drive the same day after usage.
• Nearly 20% of respondents believed their driving was worse after use. 
• 46% believed that police could not detect impairment from cannabis.
• 53% consumed cannabis within an hour of prior to driving, 20% consumed 2 -3 hours prior. 

The final phase involved 800 current cannabis consumers, from the same states, and their opinion on effective messaging to deter cannabis use ahead of driving (increasing wait time from use to driving). 62% of those respondents liked the message of, “If you feel different, you drive different – Drive High. Get a DUI”

The Foundation for Traffic Safety (FTS) is a division of the American Automobile Association (AAA) dedicated to improving public highway safety through continued education and messaging efforts. 

Read Time: 5 Minutes

Photo: unsplash.com/ Pierce, G.