Marijuana

Marijuana is the most readily available and widely abused illicit drug in Washington. Locally produced marijuana is the predominant type available throughout the state. Marijuana produced in Canada and Mexico also is available in the state. Canada-produced marijuana, commonly known as BC Bud, is more readily available in Washington than Mexico-produced marijuana. Cannabis cultivation occurs throughout the state and may be increasing. Caucasian criminal groups and local independent producers are the primary marijuana producers in Washington. They also dominate the wholesale distribution of the marijuana they produce. Canada-based Asian criminal groups, primarily Vietnamese, and OMGs, primarily Hells Angels, as well as Caucasian criminal groups and local independent dealers--both Canada- and Washington-based--smuggle Canada-produced marijuana into Washington for wholesale and retail distribution. Mexican criminal groups are the dominant transporters and wholesale distributors of Mexico-produced marijuana in Washington. Criminal groups and local independent dealers, both primarily Caucasian, are the principal retail distributors of marijuana produced in Canada and Washington. Criminal groups, local independent dealers, and street gangs, all of which are primarily Mexican, are the principal retail distributors of Mexico-produced marijuana in Washington. Various other criminal groups, local independent dealers, and street gangs also distribute marijuana at the retail level.

Abuse

The level of marijuana abuse in Washington is high according to law enforcement agencies throughout the state. Most Washington respondents to the NDTS 2002 (46 of 53) reported high rates of marijuana abuse in their jurisdictions, and seven reported medium rates of abuse.

Marijuana-related treatment admissions in Washington have increased. The number of treatment admissions for marijuana abuse to publicly funded facilities in the state increased from SFY1994 (3,143) to SFY2001 (4,647), according to the Washington Division of Alcohol and Substance Abuse. Moreover, admission rates per 100,000 population increased from 59 to 77.8 during the same period. The number of treatment admissions for marijuana abuse in Washington exceeded the number for all illicit drugs except methamphetamine in SFY2000. National reporting also reveals rising treatment admissions for marijuana abuse: according to TEDS data, the number of marijuana-related treatment admissions to publicly funded facilities in Washington increased from 7,437 in 1997 to 9,811 in 2001. (Disparities between state and federal reporting regarding admissions to substance abuse treatment programs are likely a result of differences in data collection and reporting methodologies.)

According to DAWN data, marijuana-related ED mentions decreased in the Seattle metropolitan area from 1,663 in 1997 to 808 in 1999, then increased to 1,596 in 2001. The Seattle metropolitan area ranked ninth in the number of marijuana-related ED mentions per 100,000 population among the 21 metropolitan areas reporting to DAWN in 2001.

Marijuana was commonly abused by adult male arrestees in Seattle and Spokane in 2001. According to ADAM data, 37.9 percent of adult male arrestees in Seattle tested positive for marijuana use in 2001, and 44.9 percent tested positive in Spokane.

In 1999 the percentage of high school students in Seattle who abused marijuana at least once in their lifetime was comparable to the percentage nationwide. According to YRBS data, 48.6 percent of Seattle high school students reported that they had used marijuana at least once during their lifetime compared with 47.2 percent nationally. Similarly, 26.2 percent of Seattle high school students reported having abused marijuana at least once in the 30 days prior to the survey compared with 26.7 percent nationally.

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Availability

Marijuana is readily available in Washington. Marijuana produced in Washington is the predominant type available throughout the state. Marijuana produced in Canada and Mexico is also available; however, marijuana produced in Canada is more prevalent than that produced in Mexico.

Law enforcement seizure data reflect the ready availability of marijuana in Washington. According to respondents to the 2002 Northwest HIDTA Threat Assessment Survey, state and local law enforcement officials in Washington seized 2,177 kilograms of marijuana in FY1998, 1,129 kilograms in FY1999, 7,693 kilograms in FY2000, and 5,275 in FY2001. According to FDSS data, federal law enforcement officials in Washington seized 1,193 kilograms of marijuana in 1998, 1,477 kilograms in 1999, 3,304 kilograms in 2000, and 4,164 kilograms in 2001.

The percentage of federal drug sentences in Washington that were marijuana-related was slightly higher than the national percentage in FY2001. According to USSC data, 34.8 percent of federal drug sentences in Washington were marijuana-related in FY2002 compared with 32.8 percent nationally. Further, the number of marijuana-related federal sentences in Washington increased dramatically from 32 in FY1997 to 117 in FY2001.

Marijuana prices vary in Washington based on where the drug was produced, the quantity involved, and the place of distribution. Marijuana produced in Canada--commonly known as BC Bud--typically has a higher THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) content than locally grown sinsemilla or Mexico-produced commercial-grade marijuana and, therefore, is sold for higher prices. According to the DEA Seattle Division, in FY2002 wholesale quantities of marijuana produced in Canada sold for $2,500 to $5,000 per pound, domestic sinsemilla sold for $1,500 to $5,000 per pound, and Mexico-produced marijuana sold for $250 to $2,000 per pound. In FY2002 retail quantities of domestic sinsemilla sold for approximately $300 per ounce, BC Bud sold for $125 to $300 per ounce, and Mexico-produced marijuana sold for approximately $50 per ounce.

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Violence

Violence generally is not associated with marijuana abuse; however, violence has been linked to the production and distribution of marijuana in Washington. Law enforcement officials report that cannabis growers sometimes use firearms, guard dogs, pipe bombs, and trip wires to secure their production sites. According to responses to the NDIC National Gang Survey 2000, numerous street gangs that distribute marijuana commit violent crimes such as assault, carjacking, drive-by shooting, home invasion, and homicide, some of which are likely related to their marijuana distribution operations. These gangs include the Highrollers, Rolling 60's Crips, Puro Mexicano Locos, and Varrio Sureņo Locos in Bellevue; Tiny Rascal Gang in Bellingham; Young Crew Piru in Longview; Black Gangster Disciples in Seattle; Little Valley Locals in Sunnyside; Hustlers Crip Gang, Hilltop Crips, and Lake City Crips in Lakewood; Hilltop Crips in Tacoma; Norteņos and Sureņos in Vancouver; West Side 18th Street in Walla Walla; and Chicanos Por Vida in Yakima.

Production

Marijuana produced in Washington, Canada, and Mexico is available throughout the state. Cannabis is cultivated in Washington at indoor and outdoor grow sites. All Washington respondents to the NDTS 2002 reported that cannabis was grown both indoors and outdoors in their jurisdictions. Moreover, cannabis was seized from cultivation sites in 32 of Washington's 39 counties in 2001, according to the Western States Information Network (WSIN).

A large percentage of the cannabis cultivation in Washington occurs in the western portion of the state. Cannabis cultivators often use public lands such as national forests and parks, many of which are in the western part of the state, as cannabis cultivation sites because of their remote locations.

Eradication data indicate that cannabis cultivation in Washington is increasing. According to the DEA Domestic Cannabis Eradication/Suppression Program (DCE/SP), the number of cannabis plants eradicated by law enforcement officials in Washington increased from 13,152 in 1999, to 26,851 in 2000, and to 49,246 in 2001. During that period the number of outdoor plots eradicated increased from 58 in 1999, to 91 in 2000, and to 155 in 2001. The number of indoor grow operations seized by law enforcement officials in Washington increased from 93 to 140 to 216 during the same period. In 2001 there were 23,467 outdoor-cultivated plants eradicated compared with 25,779 indoor-cultivated plants.

Caucasian criminal groups and local independent Caucasian producers are the primary cannabis cultivators in Washington. Mexican criminal groups and local independent Mexican producers also cultivate cannabis in Washington, but to a lesser extent.

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Transportation

Marijuana produced in Canada frequently is smuggled into Washington. Canada-based Asian criminal groups, primarily Vietnamese, and OMGs, primarily Hells Angels, as well as Caucasian criminal groups and local independent dealers based in Canada and Washington transport significant quantities of Canada-produced marijuana into the state. Canada-based Indian and Pakistani criminal groups also smuggle wholesale quantities of marijuana into the state, but to a lesser extent. Law enforcement officials in Bellingham, Blaine, Everson, Lynden, Mount Vernon, and Sumas--cities located near the U.S.-Canada border--report that the smuggling of Canada-produced marijuana into and through their jurisdiction is a significant problem. In FY2000 the Northern Border Task Force in Blaine seized 4,400 pounds of marijuana, over twice the amount seized by the task force in FY1999. The USBP Spokane and Blaine sectors accounted for 4,969 of 7,218 pounds of marijuana seized at the U.S.-Canada border in FY2000. Marijuana produced in Canada also is smuggled through Washington, primarily Seattle, en route to drug markets in surrounding states.

Transporters use a variety of means to smuggle Canada-produced marijuana into Washington. They commonly smuggle Canada-produced marijuana into the state by private vehicle on I-5, on National Forest System roads, and on logging roads. Aircraft, all-terrain vehicles, boats, commercial buses, cold drops, commercial trucks, package delivery services, horses, kayaks, couriers with backpacks, and snowmobiles also are used. In January 2002 USCS agents at the Blaine POE seized more than 1,400 pounds of Canada-produced marijuana from a beer truck. The drug was concealed in 34 hockey equipment bags dispersed among the beer. In May 2001 law enforcement officials seized nearly 41 pounds of Canada-produced marijuana that was being smuggled by boat from Canada to Deception Pass State Park in Washington. The high-potency marijuana--packaged in half-pound quantities in 80 plastic bags and concealed in a hockey equipment bag--was to be exchanged for cocaine. In February 2001 law enforcement officials seized nearly 300 pounds of Canada-produced marijuana and more than $300,000 and arrested two Vietnamese nationals and a Canadian citizen at the Swinomish Tribal Casino in Skagit County. The Canadian, a tour bus driver, was recruited by a Vietnamese criminal group to smuggle the marijuana and money into Washington from Canada. The Canada-produced marijuana was concealed in the spare tire compartment of the bus. In January 2001 U.S. and Canadian law enforcement officials seized nearly 300 pounds of Canada-produced marijuana and more than $400,000 in currency, and arrested 13 individuals who had smuggled the drug by helicopter from Canada to a remote landing site near Mount Baker, Washington. One individual arrested was a member of the Hells Angels OMG.

Marijuana produced in Mexico also is transported into Washington, but to a lesser extent than marijuana produced in Canada. Mexican criminal groups--often based in the Seattle-Tacoma area--are the dominant transporters of Mexico-produced marijuana into Washington. These criminal groups often transport Mexico-produced marijuana into the state by private vehicle on I-5 and US 97 and US 101. Mexican criminal groups also use commercial and private aircraft, boats, buses, trains, and package delivery services to transport Mexico-produced marijuana into the state, but to a lesser extent.

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Distribution

Various criminal groups, local independent dealers, and OMGs conduct wholesale marijuana distribution in Washington. Caucasian criminal groups and local independent Caucasian dealers are the primary wholesale distributors of Canada-produced marijuana. These criminal groups and dealers typically are supplied by Canada-based Asian criminal groups, primarily Vietnamese, and the Hells Angels OMG. Caucasian criminal groups and local independent Caucasian dealers also are the primary wholesale distributors of marijuana produced in Washington. Mexican criminal groups and local independent Mexican dealers are the principal wholesale distributors of the Mexico-produced marijuana available in the state. Caucasian criminal groups and local independent Caucasian dealers also distribute wholesale quantities of Mexico-produced marijuana, but to a lesser extent.

Retail level marijuana distribution in Washington is conducted by various criminal groups, local independent dealers, and street gangs. Caucasian criminal groups and local independent dealers are the primary retail distributors of marijuana produced in Washington and Canada. Street gangs and African American criminal groups also distribute retail quantities of marijuana produced in the state and in Canada. Asian criminal groups also distribute retail quantities of Canada-produced marijuana, but to a limited extent. Mexican criminal groups, local independent dealers, and street gangs are the principal retail distributors of Mexico-produced marijuana.

Marijuana packaging varies depending on the amount distributed. Marijuana produced in Canada typically is packaged in 1-pound quantities in large plastic storage bags. The USBP Blaine Sector reports that these packages frequently have grades or ratings on them such as A+, A, A-, B+, B, B-, etc., indicating the quality of the drug. Retail quantities of all types of marijuana commonly are packaged in plastic sandwich bags.

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