Marijuana harder to find in Ohio as growers operate indoors

Associated Press

CLEVELAND

A drop in the number of marijuana plants seized in Ohio in recent years can be attributed a greater push by growers to cultivate the plants indoors, according to authorities.

Investigators say they have seized $326 million in marijuana across the state since 2008. But authorities say the underground market for marijuana continues to thrive, with growers moving operations inside to avoid police, thieves and unpredictable weather, The Plain Dealer in Cleveland reports.

An agent with the U.S. 23 Major Crimes Task Force in Chillicothe says just as much and maybe more marijuana is being produced now, even though the number of confiscated plants has dropped.

“They’re taking their product inside,” Agent Jason Park said.

Tens of thousands of the plants have been seized annually through a program run by Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine’s office. The program puts drug agents in helicopters to locate marijuana plots and signal authorities on the ground where to find the plants. This summer’s hunt begins in about six weeks.

Prosecutors and police across the state strongly support the program. But critics call it a waste of time and say only a tiny amount of the plants grown are confiscated.

Organizers are currently pushing a plan to legalize marijuana in Ohio.