In YOUR Neighborhood. Atlanta Journal -Constitution February 22 2007
Marijuana here to stay
Advocates continue to question the legal status of cannabis. As high technology grow operations spread into suburban areas many are saying why not legalize it? At the same time authorities in Hall County have discovered a professional marijuana-growing operation in the basement of a new three-bedroom house that was using sophisticated hydroponics and imported high potency seeds ? the second such operation found in the same area this week.Agents found 173 high grade Kush and Bubblegum marijuana plants at the house Wednesday at the house in the Georgian subdivision in south Hall County.Gainesville-Hall County drug agents and gang task force members estimated the plants at full maturity would have been worth $5,000 each.
Task force member Joe Amerling says hydroponics was being used to grow the plants.Agents secured a search warrant and located the growing operation almost identical to the first. The system had its own irrigation system, a separate heating and air unit to ventilate the basement, growing lights, fans and heaters.Agents raided a house Monday ? also in the area known as Chestnut Mountain ? and uncovered a basement marijuana farm with 115 plants worth an estimated $230,000.