Broadway, N.C. — A marijuana eradication effort in western Harnett County turned up an estimated $84 million in plants growing in a wooded area near Broadway, authorities said Wednesday.
With assistance from a state Highway Patrol helicopter, Harnett County deputies, State Bureau of Investigation agents and members of the North Carolina National Guard Drug Team located eight plots off Womack Road that contained a total of 35,000 marijuana plants, authorities said.
The plants were 1 to 4 feet high and were worth an estimated $84 million, authorities said.
No arrests had been made as of Tuesday morning, but authorities said investigators seized equipment to water and fertilize the plants and to protect them from animals and insects.



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June 13, 2008 3:20 p.m.
I have researched the long-term effects of marijuana use. In many studies, it has shown that marijuana users are more likely to get cancer b/c it contains higher amounts of some of the same toxins that are found in cigarettes.
I'm very glad that you're proud to be a pothead who can pay your pay your bills, but you can rest assured that I don't leave comments unless I know what I'm talking about. Maybe you would have time to do your own research if you weren't too busy smoking weed daily.
June 13, 2008 11:50 a.m.
I agree with some of your statements and disagree with others. It is likely that the amount reported is a projected amount, and i find your take on this to be spot on.
I disagree with your outlook on the recreational marijuana use. While carcinogens are present, long term use of smoking marijuana has never been established as the cause of cancer in any individual. Feel free to research this thoroughly, you may be surprised. Respiratory illness is a possibility, but is equal to that of cigarettes which also are directly linked to cancer, seemingly the worse of evils. The ability to control oneself is less affected by pot use than alcohol, as is permanent damage to short-term memory. short term memory loss is a short-term effect created by pot use and subsides after a few months. I, too, have smoked pot daily for many years. Graduated with two degrees in a technical field and have been promoted numerous times. I own my home and pay all my bills.
June 12, 2008 12:05 p.m.
June 12, 2008 11:12 a.m.
A lot of people are up in arms about the estimated value of these plants. Is it possible that the stated amount could be the PROJECTED amount? For instance, maybe that's what the plants would potentially produce if they grew until the proper harvesting time (I know nothing about growing weed). Just a thought.
As for those of you who feel that this is a big joke and marijuana is no big deal, I think you need to find a new hobby, aside from being a pothead. The persistent and long term effects of smoking weed include loss of short term memory, respiratory illnesses, and the possibility of cancer. Granted, cigarette smoking can also cause respiratory issues and cancer, but people don't lose the ability to control themselves or function properly as a result of smoking a cigarette.
For those of you that want to legalize weed, you really need to consider the ramifications of this act. it does lead to harder drugs.
June 11, 2008 9:55 p.m.