Repercussions While the obvious targets of the Operation were HIGH TIMES, 'Sinsemilla Tips' the Seed Bank, store owners, small-time growers and the thousands of people who were investigated, the real victim of Green Merchant has been the Bill of Rights. The right of free speech is a cornerstone of our republic. History is full of people that spoke out advocating illegal positions in an effort to change the laws governing them -- from Thoreau's 'Civil Disobediance' to 'The Abolition Papers', from Freedom Marches to abortion rights. What 'Sinsemilla Tips' did, and what HIGH TIMES does -- advocate the legalization of...

Introduction : ( Originally published May '91) Operation Green Merchant Part of the War on Drugs Date : 1988 - 1992 Location : 46 US States Result : 1 698 arrests, seizure of 3,794 indoor growing operations and $35 million in drug assets. United States: DEA marijuana growers and related hydroponic and garden businesses Strength DEA agents, along with local, state and federal agents from 46 states. When Operation Green Merchant first broke 18 months ago, no one was sure of where it was going or what the extent of it would be. Now we know that its ostensible aim...

Monsanto in the Cannabis Industry: A Global Influence For decades, Monsanto, known primarily for its role in agriculture and biotechnology, has had significant influence over the global cannabis industry. Although the company is most associated with crops like corn and soybeans, it has expanded its footprint into unsuspected sectors, including cannabis.. Monsanto's Expansion into Cannabis Monsanto, now part of Bayer after a controversial acquisition, controls an impressive share of the cannabis genetics market. Through strategic partnerships and discreet acquisitions, Monsanto has acquired rights to a considerable percentage of the world's cannabis varieties. Popular strains like Blue Dream are under their...

The cannabis industry, once seen as a hope for a more equitable and sustainable economic model, is now experiencing a rapid transformation into a capitalist market focused primarily on profits. This development raises critical questions about the future direction of this emerging sector and its potential to positively influence society across multiple dimensions. From Savior to Capitalist Market Initially, cannabis was envisioned as an alternative crop that could embody the principles of a more inclusive capitalism. The idea was that, rather than one person raising millions, thousands of people could benefit significantly, reducing economic inequality and strengthening local communities. It...

It turns out that all the DNA mapping work is not for us, but for law enforcement. By Scott Beaulieu Toward Accurate Traceability: The National Marijuana DNA Database WEST HAVEN, CONN. — A University of New Haven forensic scientist is building a national database for marijuana DNA that will allow law enforcement to track the origin of the drug when an arrest is made . Heather Miller Coyle, associate professor at the Henry C. Lee College of Criminal Justice and Forensic Sciences, is a forensic botanist. She also developed a new method for collecting the genetic fingerprint of marijuana, making...