Pubdate: Fri, 13 Oct 2017
Source: USA Today (US)
Copyright: 2017 USA TODAY, a division of Gannett Co. Inc
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Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/466
Author: Trevor Hughes

POT FARMERS FEAR CROPS MAY GO UP IN SMOKE

CALISTOGA, Calif. - Marijuana farmers and dispensary owners across
Northern California are nervously watching as wildfires burn through
some of the state's prime cannabis growing areas and destroy valuable
crops, which could drive up prices for consumers across the country.

"This is right smack in the middle of people's harvests," said Eli
Melrod, the CEO of Solful Dispensary in Sebastopol, in northern
California. "It couldn't have been worse timing, frankly."

A single marijuana plant can be worth up to $5,000, but pot growers
can't get crop insurance like traditional farmers or the vintners
whose grapevines tend to get most of the attention here.

Wildfires are burning across parts of Napa, Sonoma and Mendocino
counties, which are known for both wine and marijuana, particularly
among high-end consumers willing to pay a premium for the name.
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