Medical Marijuana Growers Face Federal Raids

Marijuana plants sit on a rack at the Berkeley Patients Group March 25, 2010 in Berkeley, California. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

The industry of growing and distributing marijuana is explored in “The Republic of Cannabis” — a special series produced in collaboration by KQED, The Center for Investigative Reporting and Frontline.

In the latest installment of the series, reporter Michael Montgomery investigates the discrepancy between state and federal marijuana laws as licensed California growers find themselves under increasing threat of federal raids.

On Tuesday’s NewsHour, we’ll feature an excerpt from Montgomery’s reporting on the recent raids.

In July, Matthew Cohen of Northstone Organics was featured on the Republic of Cannabis series. Cohen is a registered marijuana grower with the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Department and is operating with the department’s permission. However, last month, Cohen’s pot farm was raided by DEA agents.

The crackdown effects not only on growers and dispensaries, but also landlords and property owners. The investigation also examines the implications for newspaper, radio, and other media outlets that are advertising medical marijuana dispensaries in California.

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