Marijuana

Marijuana is the second greatest drug threat and the most widely available and abused illicit drug in Wyoming. Law enforcement agencies seize more marijuana than any other drug. Most of the marijuana available in Wyoming is produced in Mexico. Mexican criminal groups transport and distribute marijuana at the wholesale and retail levels throughout the state. Cannabis also is grown indoors in Wyoming. Local independent dealers distribute locally produced marijuana.

Abuse

Marijuana abuse in Wyoming is increasing. Statistics from the Wyoming Department of Health, Division of Substance Abuse, indicate a steady increase in marijuana treatment admissions from 1997 through 1999. Marijuana-related admissions numbered 545 in 1997, increased to 667 admissions in 1998, and rose to 690 admissions in 1999--an overall increase of 26 percent during this 3-year period. TEDS data also reflect an increase in 1998, from 582 admissions in 1997 to 726 admissions in 1998, before showing a decrease to 691 admissions in 1999. Disparities between state and federal reporting on admissions to substance abuse treatment programs are likely to occur because of differences in data collection and reporting methodologies. In 1999 marijuana was a factor in eight deaths in Casper, according to DAWN ME data. The Wyoming Department of Health reported that the typical marijuana abuser in treatment in 1999 was a Caucasian male 21 to 30 years of age. TEDS data indicate that 68 percent of admissions for marijuana abuse in Wyoming in 1999 were under 25 years of age.

Marijuana abuse among students is lower in Wyoming than the national average. The 1999 YRBS indicates that over 42 percent of Wyoming high school students surveyed reported using marijuana at least once in their lifetime. This was less than the national average of 47 percent. Approximately 21 percent of student respondents reported marijuana use within the past 30 days, compared with 27 percent nationally. Almost 11 percent of students surveyed in Wyoming had used marijuana before the age of 13--on par with the national average.

Availability

Marijuana is the most widely available illegal drug in Wyoming. While the number of marijuana-related arrests has declined because of increased enforcement efforts directed at methamphetamine, marijuana is consistently seized in greater amounts than any other drug. Mexico-produced marijuana is the most common type available; however, marijuana cultivated in the United States by Mexican criminal groups and locally produced marijuana also are available. In 2001 the Wyoming DCI reported that most of the cannabis seized from indoor grow operations was sinsemilla.

Marijuana is readily available throughout Wyoming. Law enforcement agencies seized more marijuana than all other illegal substances during each year from 1994 through 2000. The Wyoming DCI reported that its six Regional Enforcement Teams seized over 270 kilograms of marijuana and made 267 marijuana-related arrests in 2000. DEA reported that 8 percent of its arrests in Wyoming in FY1999 were for marijuana-related offenses.

Prices for Mexican marijuana have remained stable since the mid-1990s. Ounce prices range from $125 to $150, and pound prices are approximately $1,200. Mexican sinsemilla is uncommon, but locally cultivated sinsemilla can be purchased for $250 per ounce and approximately $3,500 per pound. According to the University of Mississippi Marijuana Potency Monitoring Program, the average THC level for marijuana seized in Wyoming in 2000 was 7.3 percent.

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Violence

There are no reported occurrences of violence associated with marijuana distribution and abuse in Wyoming. However, in the United States cultivators often employ armed guards to protect indoor and outdoor grow sites. Distributors commit violent acts to protect their territory.

Production

While most marijuana available in Wyoming is produced in Mexico, cannabis is cultivated in Wyoming. High altitudes, a short growing season, and effective eradication efforts by law enforcement authorities limit outdoor cannabis cultivation in Wyoming. Most cannabis cultivation in Wyoming takes place indoors. These grow operations are easier to conceal from law enforcement authorities and yield harvests year-round. Typically, indoor marijuana grows are small and are located in private residences. The marijuana from these indoor grows is usually for local distribution or personal use.

Wyoming authorities maintain an active marijuana eradication program. DEA supports various state and local agencies in Wyoming that participate in the Domestic Cannabis Eradication and Suppression Program (DCE/SP). In 1998 DCE/SP seized 804 cannabis plants from indoor grows, 7 pounds of processed marijuana, and made 5 marijuana-related arrests in Wyoming. In 1999 law enforcement agencies seized 69 cannabis plants, over 87 pounds of processed marijuana, and made 4 marijuana-related arrests involving indoor grows pursuant to the DCE/SP. In 2000 authorities seized 115 cannabis plants, 483 pounds of processed marijuana, and made 4 marijuana-related arrests involving indoor grows under the DCE/SP.

Transportation

Most marijuana consumed in Wyoming is transported from Mexico. Mexican criminal groups transport large quantities of marijuana from the Southwest Border states to Wyoming. Marijuana commonly is transshipped through Arizona, California, Colorado, New Mexico, Texas, and Utah. Denver is a significant transshipment area for marijuana destined for Wyoming--both Mexico-produced marijuana and marijuana produced in California by Mexican criminal groups. Mexican criminal groups based in Denver transport wholesale quantities of marijuana to Wyoming and distribute it locally.

Figure 3. Distribution centers for marijuana in Wyoming.

Private vehicles, commercial trucks, and buses are used to transport marijuana into the state, primarily via interstate highways. Interstate 80 is the primary transportation route used by criminal groups to transport marijuana to and through Wyoming. Interstate 25 frequently is used. While criminal groups have used I-90 to transport marijuana, there were no seizures of marijuana along this interstate in 2000. Marijuana often is concealed inside duffel bags stowed in vehicle trunks and cargo areas. The use of hidden compartments in vehicles is not a common method of concealing marijuana.

Criminal groups transporting marijuana to other states frequently transit Wyoming via the state's interstate highways. In 2000 investigators with the Midwest HIDTA uncovered a criminal group transporting up to 374 pounds of marijuana per month through Wyoming via I-80. A 1999 seizure related to this investigation yielded 317 pounds of marijuana.

The Wyoming Highway Patrol participates in Operation Pipeline, a national highway interdiction program supported by the El Paso Intelligence Center (EPIC). Operation Pipeline operates along the highways and interstates most commonly used to transport illegal drugs and drug proceeds.

According to Operation Pipeline statistics in 2000, 495 pounds of marijuana were seized during four traffic stops. All of the marijuana shipments originated in and were destined for states other than Wyoming.

Distribution

Wholesale and retail marijuana distribution occurs in Wyoming. Mexican criminal groups dominate marijuana distribution at the wholesale level. These groups also are the primary retail distributors of marijuana. Caucasian independent dealers distribute locally produced marijuana.

Marijuana typically is sold from private residences and bars. This retail distribution method poses significantly more challenges to law enforcement authorities than the open-air marijuana markets used in other areas of the United States.

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