A drone pilot program designed to improve abatement of illegal cannabis grows is being explored by Nevada County Supervisors. County officials told the Board, at its Tuesday meeting, that 32-percent of complaints received were unverifiable, due to such obstacles put up by growers as locked gates, fences, and other visual obstructions. Staff verification could also be dangerous. Supervisor Dan Miller also cited the Grand Jury report, released a couple of weeks ago, that said only two to three-percent of thousands of grows are legally permitted…

click to listen to Supervisor Dan Miller

But the Executive Director of the County Cannabis Alliance, Diana Gamzon, says the focus should be more on aggressive eradication efforts, rather than just fines….

click to listen to Diana Gamzon

Gamzon says the egregious grows are also major water and wildfire hazards. But Code Compliance Program Manager, Jeff Merriman, says drones would provide much quicker verification, which is needed for a court order to enter a property. The Board has directed staff to come up with a proposal that would also address concerns expressed at the meeting, along with cost feasibility.