San Bernardino County is sponsoring two state bills meant to stop illegal cannabis farming.
AB 2728 and SB 1426 will increase fines for illegal cannabis farming, while holding accountable illegal cannabis cultivators who pollute groundwater, according to a statement one the county’s website.
“Illegal cannabis farming is devastating the desert communities of San Bernardino County,” said Board of Supervisors Chairman Curt Hagman in the statement. “The County is determined to stop this terrible damage to the environment and to protect the lives and property of our residents from lawless criminals.”
In 2016, state voters approved Prop. 64, which made recreational marijuana use legal and allowed the growing of up to six cannabis plants for personal use.
A state cultivation license is need to grow cannabis in larger amounts.
San Bernardino County is seeking $10 million from the state to clean up environmental damage caused by illegal cannabis cultivation, according to the statement.