NORML joined other concerned groups and citizens to testify against the aerial application of herbicides in DEA-sponsored marijuana eradication efforts, at a public hearing yesterday. The meeting, organized by the Department of Justice, was part of an ongoing review of the “environmental impact” posed by the DEA’s use of herbicides, particularly glyphosate, to eliminate wild growing marijuana. The agency has not conducted such a review since May 1986.
“The NORML Foundation strongly opposes the aerial directed spraying of herbicides from low flying aircraft for the purpose of eliminating wild growing marijuana plots,” Publications Director Paul Armentano told DEA officials. “After evaluating the DEA’s Domestic Cannabis Eradication Suppression Program, we find it misguided, excessively burdensome on taxpayers, counterproductive, and potentially harmful to the health and safety of residents and the environment.”
Armentano cited evidence that the multi-million dollar a year program targets almost entirely nonpsychoactive hemp, and that the aerial use of glyphosate in marijuana eradication efforts is ineffective and environmentally hazardous.
“This program almost exclusively eradicates ditchweed which presents no threat to public safety,” he said. “In addition, the aerial application of herbicides to eliminate ditchweed poses a demonstrated threat to the general public and wildlife through contamination of ground water, surface water, air and soil, and the elimination of many animals’ habitat. Only in America do federal law enforcement continue to place public safety at risk and our tax dollars to waste eliminating this proven worldwide cash crop.”
Previous forums held in Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, and Atlanta also drew testimony and criticism from drug reform activists and environmentalists. The DEA will review the testimony and include it in the final supplement to the Environmental Impact Statement.
For more information, please contact Paul Armentano of The NORML Foundation @ (202) 483-8751. Copies of NORML’s testimony are available upon request.
