TB 165 - Illegal Marijuana Cultivation

Question 1

At the federal level, who currently classified marijuana as a schedule 1 substance under the controlled substance act (CSA)?

Answer 1

US department of justice

Question 2

The federal government considers marijuana to have a high potential of abuse therefore the distribution of marijuana is still a what?

Answer 2

Federal crime

Question 3

In 1996 California voters passed what proposition (compassionate use act of 1996), which legalized the medical use of marijuana?

Answer 3

Proposition 21

Question 4

Since 1996, how many states including the District of Columbia and Guam have enacted similar laws?

Answer 4

22 states

Question 5

California legislations allows certain non-profit collectibles referred to as cooperatives or what to provide marijuana to patients, primary caregivers and or to be sold “at cost”?

Answer 5

Dispensaries

Question 6

How many estimated dispensaries are the in LA?

Answer 6

Over 1000

Question 7

Illegals cultivation operations continue to persist according to what?

Answer 7

2009 RAND institute study

Question 8

Producers and distributors of marijuana are seeking tremendous profits available on what market?

Answer 8

Black market

Question 9

Based solely on dispatch information, the response to an illegal marijuana cultivation operation may initially appear to be routine and what?

Answer 9

Safe

Question 10

Robust or excessive what is typically encountered such as high fences and gates, heavy locks and chains and warning signs (keep out and beware of dog)?

Answer 10

Security

Question 11

Typically what type of odor can be recognized from outside the structure as a warning sign for an illegal grow operation?

Answer 11

Strong marijuana odor

Question 12

What percent of humidity can growing rooms reach in grow rooms producing large amounts of condensation on the inside of windows?

Answer 12

100%

Question 13

What types of lights are used in grow operations which may be seen around doors or windows?

Answer 13

High intensity lamps

Question 14

What may be around windows to prevent any telltale amounts of light to escape and prevent natural light from disruption the artificial light cycles?

Answer 14

Black plastic, plywood, heavy curtains or drapes

Question 15

Windows might be cracked open even during winter months to cool house or grow room due to excess heat from what?

Answer 15

High intensity lighting

Question 16

More what than normal may be needed to cool a building of its size and may also be running during winter months or periods of cooler temps?

Answer 16

Air conditioning units

Question 17

What allows operators to monitor locations and provided additional security and early warning which could potential leave first responders and authorities vulnerable to an ambush?

Answer 17

Video surveillance

Question 18

What 2 goals do marijuana cultivation operators generally have?

Answer 18

Providing optimal growing conditions and maintain clandestine operation

Question 19

Substandard electrical services and wiring may be encountered, a grow operation can use up to how many times the power of an average residence?

Answer 19

10 times

Question 20

Operators will often bypass what in an attempt to keep their usage rates within normal ranges to prevent detection?

Answer 20

Electric meters

Question 21

Electricity can be stolen from who by tapping directly into their electrical service?

Answer 21

Power company or neighboring building

Question 22

Doing what will not always disconnect the power to the building?

Answer 22

Flipping circuit breakers and/or physically cutting the service

Question 23

Ballasts used to run high intensity grow lights can maintain a charge up to how many minutes after being disconnected?

Answer 23

15 minutes

Question 24

What is used in fire rooms to enhance growing conditions which can displace oxygen to below safe levels?

Answer 24

Carbon dioxide and ozone

Question 25

An atmosphere containing less than what percent of oxygen is considered oxygen deficient?

Answer 25

19.5%

Question 26

Flammable atmospheres are present, what can be found posing a highly flammable atmosphere?

Answer 26

Butane, acetone, white has, isopropyl alcohol or methyl alcohol, ethanol or isobutane

Question 27

What poisons are common in grow operations and are often stored improperly and disposed of by pouring down storm or sewage drains?

Answer 27

Fungicides, pesticides, acids and bases

Question 28

Humidity levels of 100% promote vigorous growth of what which can cause health and respiratory problems and in rare cases death?

Answer 28

Molds and fungi

Question 29

Grow operations have been found in all manner of spaces including what which should be cognizant of OSHA guidelines which may meet the requirements of confined spaces?

Answer 29

Underground rooms, tunnels, attics and basements

Question 30

Responders must always be vigilant for anti personnel devices such as what?

Answer 30

IEDs and myriad of other booby traps

Question 31

LAFD resources will generally encounter illegal growing operations in what 2 ways?

Answer 31

Emergency and non emergency incidents/contact

Question 32

What are the 2 most common emergency scenarios in which illegal grow operations may be encountered?

Answer 32

Structure fires and EMS

Question 33

The most common non emergency contacts for grow operations occur due to what?

Answer 33

Citizen complaint, routine FPI, or chemical investigation

Question 34

Firefighter safety depends upon what which we should always strive to gain and maintain?

Answer 34

Situational awareness

Question 35

Illegal grow operations should always be treated as what?

Answer 35

Hazmat incident and crime scene

Question 36

For fire incidents at grow operations, what are the priorities?

Answer 36

Life, environment and then property

Question 37

All members within how many feet of an illegal grow shall wear full PPE and SCBA?

Answer 37

30 feet

Question 38

What should be communicated via radio as soon as it becomes known when responding to a structure fire at a grow operation?

Answer 38

“Illegal marijuana operation”

Question 39

We should transition to what stance once knock down has been achieved and life hazard has been addressed and abated?

Answer 39

Hazmat/crime scene

Question 40

When responding to a reported explosion with no fire members shall wear full PPE and SCBA and consider rapid extraction while using what equipment to monitor atmosphere?

Answer 40

Drager and mini radiacs

Question 41

For EMS scene safety is paramount, provide care consistent with scope of practice and consider rapid extraction. Communicate “illegal marijuana operation” to MFC and all resources on scene without using what if possible?

Answer 41

Incident address (use incident name or number for identification purposes)

Question 42

What additional resources shall be requested by IC if not already included in the initial assignment?

Answer 42

LAFD hazmat squad JHAT LAFD arson unit

Question 43

What other resources should be considered to respond to illegal grow operations?

Answer 43

LAFD FPB LAPD Hazmat LA county health hazmat LA IMPACT

Question 44

What is LA IMPACT and what is their primary focus?

Answer 44

Los Angeles metropolitan police apprehension crime task force, they investigate major crimes with an emphasis on dismantling mid to major level drug trafficking organizations

Question 45

Marijuana poses what threats to first responders?

Answer 45

Health and safety

Question 46

The subject of marijuana grows must be viewed as “what” and an ever growing problems that will continue as both legal and illegal operations will increasingly present new hazards to first responders?

Answer 46

“Fluid”