Entwarnung, die Krise ist überstanden.

Mendocino County

Northern California's Mendocino County is a picture postcard of the far west and the site of a controversial, profitable and increasingly violent criminal enterprise... the marijuana trade.  Officials estimate it to be a $1 billion a year industry accounting for two-thirds of the local economy.

Underground Industry

Growers in Northern California cultivate as much marijuana as possible without triggering a legal crackdown. Authorities are overwhelmed by the sheer number of growers and are hampered by conflicting laws. While California state law permits residents to grow a small number of pot plants, under federal law pot is flat out illegal.

Growing Marijuana

Ukiah Morrison is a Mendocino pot grower. In most places that would make him an outlaw but not in this neck of the woods. Morrison says “I don’t think there’s anything more important in this economy. To take this out would be a major blow, economically speaking.”

The New Wild, Wild West?

Just how “wild” it is can be felt in a new crime wave hitting Mendocino County. More and more thieves are targeting homes believed to contain pot. Jim Wattenburger, former Chairman of Mendocino County’s Board of Supervisors, believes up to 60% of the populace is involved in the marijuana industry.