All of these major grow-house busts that go down in Florida aren't a coincidence. The Sunshine State is the hot spot for growing marijuana out of the sunshine, i.e. indoors.
Time magazine just put up a story, penned by local journo Carmine Gentile, about the phenomenon. The main thesis doesn't seem to be how or why or what it means that we're so fond of growing pot indoors. It's more about how hydroponic marijuana from Florida is just really, really, really good.
In 2006, Florida law enforcement here discovered 480 homes growing marijuana indoors. Last year, 1,022 grow houses were busted. "This isn't your grandma's marijuana," quipped a Miami-Dade narcotics officer at one bust as he tossed garbage bags stuffed with confiscated marijuana into an unmarked police truck. Levels of THC -- the agent in marijuana that produces feelings of euphoria, and in some users mild hallucinations and paranoia -- has risen dramatically because of indoor techniques. Thirty years ago, most marijuana contained around 7% THC. Today, indoor growers boast THC levels of 25% or higher thanks to the additional care indoor plants receive.
There are also a few helpful tips for would-be growers:
- Lower your energy profile by hacking directly into the grid. Hire an electrician to do it.
- Never, ever trust that electrician, though. He'll rat you out.
- Alway hire illegal immigrants to take the rap for you.
- Don't sell your stuff locally. Ship it up to the Northeast. It goes for twice as much there as it does here.
- Don't forget to bring a towel.
The more you know!
[Time: Florida's New Marijuana Boom: House-Grown and Super-Potent]