Maine Congressional Delegation Urges DOJ to Shut Down Illegal Chinese-Owned Marijuana Grows

Maine’s Congressional Delegation is urging the U.S. Department of Justice to shut down numerous illegally operated Chinese marijuana growing operations in the state, according to a Thursday letter sent to Attorney General Merrick Garland

This comes after the Daily Caller first reported on a leaked federal memorandum distributed within Border Patrol that identified 270 suspected Chinese illegal marijuana growing operations in Maine worth an estimated $4.37 billion.

[RELATED: Illegal Chinese Marijuana Grow Operations Are Taking Over Maine, Leaked Memo Says: DCNF EXCLUSIVE]

“These illegal growing operations are detrimental to Maine businesses that comply with State laws, and we urge the Department of Justice (DOJ) to shut them down,” wrote the Maine Delegation.

“Maine state law permits marijuana use in certain circumstances, and the Maine Office of Cannabis Policy (OCP) provides oversight,” the Delegation wrote.

“OCP is responsible for licensing, compliance, and general oversight of both medical marijuana use and recreational use, and it consults with other state agencies—including the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry; the Department of Health and Human Services; the Department of Labor; and the Department of Public Safety—on rulemaking related to their areas of expertise,” they wrote.

The Cannabis Legalization Act, passed by Maine voters in 2016 and later amended by the legislature, provides the rulemaking and regulatory framework for adult cannabis use, as well as the tracking of cannabis plant and product, enforcement and compliance, health and safety data, labeling and packaging, and licensing and fees.

Maine’s Congressional Delegation is requesting answers from the DOJ on the following questions:

1. What is the DOJ doing to address illegal growing operations, including illegal growing operations that are run by foreign governments or entities?
2. How are the profits from these illegal operations being returned to the country of origin?
3. These reports identify Chinese ownership. Is the DOJ aware of this alleged Chinese ownership or any other foreign involvement in these operations?
4. Please provide any additional information about the memo identified in these reports, including who produced it, when the information contained in the memo was first obtained, and what actions have been taken in response?
5. What action is the DOJ taking to swiftly shutdown any illegal marijuana growing operations in the state of Maine?

Read the full text of the letter below: