January 31, 2023 3:40 a.m.
Commissioner Chris Boice was recently asked to testify before a legislative committee regarding agricultural land that is used for the illegal growing of crops.
A Douglas County government release said Boice testified before the House Committee on Agriculture, Land Use, Natural Resources and Water, regarding House Bill 2253. The bills summary states that it disqualifies land from farm use special assessments upon final civil penalty or judgement of conviction for the illegal growing of crops against a landowner or person in possession and control of land. It provides an exception if the landowner obligated taxpayer reasonably lacked knowledge about the illegal growing of crops or promptly notified a law enforcement agency about the illegal growing.
On January 19th, Boice joined State Senator David Brock Smith in testifying. Both discussed what they believe are the negative impact and significant amount of resources deployed to combat illegal marijuana crops in Douglas County.
The release said in 2021, 35 illegal grow sites were investigated by the Douglas Interagency Narcotics Team. Over 351,000 marijuana plants were seized along with nearly 69,000 pounds of dried and processed marijuana. In 2022, DINT investigated 52 illegal grow sites with nearly 87,000 marijuana plants seized along with over 30,000 pounds of dried and processed marijuana.
In his testimony, Boice said the illegal crops put a real damper on the legal industry, but the situation is deeper than that. Boice said the Department of Environmental Quality is now involved due to the serious environmental issues that are related to the way the land is being used and the chemicals being applied. He said the Bureau of Labor and Industry is involved with the way people are being employed, housed, and treated on the sites. Boice said, “The hope is to put some teeth in this ag exemption law that creates a situation where someone who knowingly grows illegal cannabis gets busted for it and potentially loses their tax exemption for up to 5 years. There are a lot of things to be discussed, but this is what we are shooting for”.
Audio of the complete recording of the public hearing is linked: https://olis.oregonlegislature.gov/liz/mediaplayer/?clientID=4879615486&eventID=2023011085’