More reason for US legalisationOklahomas marijuana murders: killings of Chinese workers reflect an illegal industry out of control. State officials identify marijuana farms illegally run by out-of-state and foreign entities as a growing threat, and say a rising number of Chinese nationals operate them. Asian-American community leaders say many young, desperate Chinese in cities like New York are lured to Oklahoma by the promise of quick money. Cannabis can be grown for as little as US$100 a pound in Oklahoma, and sold for US$3,500 to US$4,000 a pound in California or New York in the black market or street sales. Oklahomas narcotics agency says it has seized more than 600,000 pounds of cannabis worth millions of dollars since 2020. We have intercepted wire transfers for several million dollars that are going to places like Mexico or China that are tied to the groups we were investigating for illegal marijuana on the black market." John OConnor, who just stepped down as Oklahomas attorney general, said that more than 80 per cent of the marijuana grown in the state is exported illegally. Oklahoma, he said, was the No 1 supplier of marijuana in the US: That gives you an idea of the scope of the problem. So why is Oklahoma a destination for marijuana growers? Cheap licences, cheap land and liberal laws in terms of fewer restrictions on the size of the farm have made Oklahoma very attractive." A growers license costs a one-time payment of US$2,500, with an annual renewal fee of US$2,000. In neighbouring Arkansas a similar annual permit costs about US$100,000. Complete article link: https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3208645/oklahomas-marijuana-murders-killings-chinese-workers-reflect-illegal-industry-out-control?module=lead_hero_story&pgtype=homepage