In 2014, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) destroyed 16,067 marijuana plants in Oregon, an achievement that cost nearly $1 million — or $60 per plant. The $960,000 price tag breaks down to $275,000 spent on police overtime and $685,000 spent hiring a helicopter.
Russ Belville of the Portland, Oregon branch of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML) describes the eradication effort as "largely a make-work, overtime program for cops to go pull weeds and spend taxpayer money on helicopters." Rep. Ted Lieu (D-Calif.), who wants to get rid of the DEA's pot destruction program nationwide, agrees that the project is "a huge waste of federal taxpayer dollars," especially in states like Oregon where recreational pot use is now legal.
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