Ask A Cop: My Neighbors Are Growing Marijuana

Is there anything you have ever wanted to know from the police department? Well, this is your chance to ask. 

Patch has always strived to bring its readers all types of information and keep them updated on what is happening in their communities. It is with that in mind that we bring you our newest column, “Ask A Cop.” We will be teaming up with the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office and other local law enforcement agencies from around the county to answer your questions.

Whether you have a question about certain laws and how they might affect you, your family or friends or how to stay safe in certain situations, we want you to ask them. Every week we will run one question and answer. To submit a question, email Shannon.burkey@patch.com.

Question:

If you know of someone growing marijuana on their property/in their home, what is the best way to report it? Also, if they are selling it to minors, how do I report it without getting the teens in trouble?

Answer:

If you know someone growing marijuana on their property either indoors or outdoors the best way to report it would be to contact the law enforcement agency that has jurisdiction of that property. For properties in the unincorporated area of Santa Cruz it would be the Santa Cruz Sheriff’s Office, specifically the Narcotics Enforcement Team. If the subjects in question are selling the marijuana to minors then please tell the law enforcement officer this information along with any additional information.

Currently the Santa Cruz Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Enforcement Team does all of the marijuana cultivation investigations for the Sheriff’s Office. This is because of the current marijuana laws allowing for medical marijuana. Senate Bill 420, Proposition 215, the Attorney General Guidelines from 2008, the Santa Cruz County Code, and current case law, which is ever-changing regarding medical marijuana, provides us with the laws governing medical marijuana and how it can be cultivated, transported, transferred and consumed legally for personal use. The Santa Cruz Sheriff’s Office aggressively investigates marijuana cases found to be outside the laws and guidelines mentioned above. 

— Sgt. Peter Hansen, Santa Cruz Sheriff's Office Narcotic Enforcement Team Sergeant