More and more smugglers are taking to the friendly skies in an effort to escape California’s saturated cannabis market. An L.A. Times records review shows that arrests at LAX have skyrocketed since legalization.
TSA agents check passengers at LAX in 2018. Last year, arrests for marijuana trafficking spiked after California legalized the drug.
Emboldened by legalization and facing only light punishment if captured, more and more smugglers are taking to the friendly skies in an effort to escape California’s glutted cannabis market, according to authorities, marijuana industry experts and a lawyer who represents accused smugglers. As a result, the world’s fourth-busiest airport is now an expanding hub in the illegal export of marijuana, they say.
The sudden increase in airport smuggling is largely the result of legalization and a saturated market. California grows— up to five times more by some accounts — and cannabis users in other states will pay a much higher price. Although the medical and recreational use of cannabis is legal in California, it remains illegal in the eyes of the federal government, which considers it a Schedule 1 drug on par with heroin, LSD and ecstasy.
Nevertheless, the number of traffickers using commercial airlines appears to be growing. Popular flight destinations include Chicago, Atlanta, Indianapolis and Dallas, according to LAX arrest records. Hundreds of passengers now regularly pack personal amounts of marijuana, cannabis oil or edibles in their carry-on or checked baggage assuming it’s legal to fly with, forgetting that the federal government has dominion over the skies.
Deutschland Neuesten Nachrichten, Deutschland Schlagzeilen
Similar News:Sie können auch ähnliche Nachrichten wie diese lesen, die wir aus anderen Nachrichtenquellen gesammelt haben.
A world-famous chef was stopped as he brought 40 piranhas through LAXPSA: Customs officers do not like it when you try to bring a duffel bag full of 40 vacuum-sealed, frozen piranhas into Los Angeles.
Weiterlesen »
Measles cases have cost California counties more than $400,000 this yearCalifornia counties have spent more than $400,000 trying to stop measles from spreading across the state this year, according to an analysis released Friday by state officials.
Weiterlesen »
Pot bust: California dramatically cuts marijuana tax revenue projectionsThe Newsom administration is sharply scaling back what California expects to collect in cannabis tax revenue through June 2020.
Weiterlesen »
A world-famous chef was stopped as he brought 40 piranhas through LAXPSA: Customs officers do not like it when you try to bring a duffel bag full of 40 vacuum-sealed, frozen piranhas into Los Angeles.
Weiterlesen »
Tax revenue from legal pot sales falls short of projections in CaliforniaProponents of legal weed have promised windfall tax revenue, but in California, the green hasn't delivered as much green as hoped.
Weiterlesen »
Cashing In on Cannabis: Bringing Financial Services to Pot StartupsDope CFO co-founder Naomi Granger had career burnout before she found her niche serving the marijuana industry. “We’re getting to see all of these business owners fight for a chance to thrive,” she says. “It feels like we’re part of a movement.”
Weiterlesen »
As legal marijuana booms, Denver votes on decriminalizing hallucinogenic mushroomsProponents say “magic mushrooms” can help with depression, chronic pain, addiction, PTSD and anxiety. Opponents say too much is unknown and don't want Denver to be a drug hotspot.
Weiterlesen »
Opinion | Weeding Out Dubious Marijuana ScienceResearchers find ways to minimize increases in crime and traffic deaths that followed legalization.
Weiterlesen »
Meet 'CannAbuelo,' a Latino grandfather extolling the benefits of medical marijuana“Hopefully a lot more abuelos (grandfathers) will start using cannabis after this film,' says Nelson Guerrero, co-founder of the Cannabis Cultural Association.
Weiterlesen »