Hemp production has become subterfuge for black market MJ growers in Southern Oregon. There are roughly 6000 acres of hemp permitted there in 2021, the vast majority of which is cannabinoid hemp. Flower continues to be the strongest market for hemp producers, with craft extraction piggy-backing on this lucrative category.
Even with market opportunity for hemp flower, many producers do not have access to this market, and do not have the sophisticated marketing and fulfillment operations that successful growers have. A portion of hemp growers have pivoted to illegal MJ production as a result of collapsing hemp prices and overall anemic cannabinoid markets. Regulations in Oregon are ripe for exploitation.
Speculation abounds that many of the current illicit cannabis grows in the area are part of an organized crime network. In February,
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