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Oregon Moves to Crack Down on Illegal Cannabis Grows Tied to Water Theft and Human Trafficking News By Diane Megaw On Jun 14, 2025 Marijuana Grow, Josephine County | Courtesy: U.S. Attorney’s Office – District of Oregon Oregon Senate Bill 347 A, which targets illegal cannabis grows in an effort to curb water theft and human trafficking, was unanimously passed earlier this month. Oregon SB 347 Targets Illegal Cannabis Grows SB 347 A seeks to apply a special tax assessment to properties where owners are caught knowingly allowing illegal grows. Penalties for landowners with illegal cannabis grows will be increased to curb associated crimes such as water theft and human trafficking. The special tax assessment will take the form of an additional charge levied on property owners. It will help fund public projects, such as road repairs, sewer upgrades, or new sidewalks, that directly benefit the land being taxed. It incentivizes farmland owners to stop allowing, accepting payment, or leasing land for the growing of illegal cannabis. In Douglas County, the human labor and trafficking aspect is a significant factor in illegal grows. The county’s human trafficking task force identified certain areas to be at high risk for both labor and sex trafficking, with origins from China, Russia, Ukraine, Mexico, Honduras, Laos, and local entities within the southern Oregon counties. Over 150 victims and survivors of human trafficking have been identified in Douglas County, with some exploited through the illicit marijuana industry. Labor trafficking is relatively common within the industry as grow sites make big promises to job seekers. They are often promised good pay and the opportunity to live and work in the US, but the reality is that they are usually forced to live in harsh conditions without access to facilities and in hazardous environments. Due to factors such as language barriers, they are also unable to enforce their rights. SB 347 A will now move to the House of Representatives for a vote and- if passed, will be written into state law. Share Twitter Facebook ReddIt WhatsApp Pinterest Email