Slowdown In DEA Cannabis Eradication And Suppression Program

Since 2009, the number of marijuana plants eradicated by the DEA has fallen by nearly 60% from 10.4 million to 4.3 million in 2014. The value of assets seized has fallen by 27% in the same period.

This trend began before recent congressional action to limit DEA intervention in marijuana markets, including the pending FY2016 Commerce, Justice and Science appropriations bill, which will cut the agency’s budget by $21 million and prevent the DEA from interfering in states which have legalized hemp, medical or recreational marijuana.