Sen. King, Rep. Golden voice concerns over illegal Chinese marijuana farms in Maine
Maine's Congressional leaders are once again voicing concerns over illegal Chinese marijuana farms in Maine, now calling it a matter of national security.
Senator Angus King and Congressman Jared Golden are requesting U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland hold a briefing on these Chinese-owned marijuana farms as soon as possible.
Citing a leaked document from the Department of Homeland Security, King and Golden say there's reason to believe these farms are part of a larger network of Asian transnational criminal organizations.
In the letter, they are concerned the Chinese Communist Party is infiltrating the U.S., stealing away billions of dollars from these grows in states where cannabis is legal, like Maine.
It's not just the money, the letter cites other states where Chinese nationals were linked to human trafficking.
Court paperwork shows in some cases the people working at the grow operations sometimes weren't being paid.
King and Golden say "allowing illicit marijuana farms tied to the Chinese Communist Party is a continued threat to national security, public safety and human rights."
They are now asking the DOJ to answer a list of questions surrounding the marijuana farms and their ties to the Chinese Communist Party.
