The lure of the marijuana business
Authorities have again uprooted millions worth of marijuana, this time in the hinterlands of Balamban. Police swept through the upland area of the town and seized thousands of the prohibited plants worth more than P2 million.
This development came after police operations in other parts of the province confiscated millions worth of marijuana plants. Since early this year, many were arrested as they tried to escape during police raids on marijuana plantations.
For decades, the mountains of Balamban and in other areas across the province have become notorious for marijuana cultivation. Despite repeated operations by authorities, many in these areas still opt to plant marijuana because it’s a more lucrative venture than ordinary farming.
Even in upland barangays in Cebu City, marijuana cultivation has been practiced by some farmers for years. In fact, last month, marijuana stalks worth almost P3 million were uprooted and burned by the police in Barangay Tagbao.
Marijuana cultivation is here to stay despite the heightened campaign against it. Police operations have been conducted almost every day but many still venture into such kind of livelihood because it’s more profitable compared to other forms of farming.
It seems police operations are not enough to prevent marijuana planting in the mountain barangays. A more definite approach seems needed to counter the temptation to venture into such illegal business.
Therefore, the government should come in. Aside from heightening the information campaign about the risk surrounding marijuana cultivation, government agencies must introduce livelihood programs to augment the income of farmers so they won’t be tempted to embrace the industry of marijuana planting.
Cebu Provincial Police Office director Senior Superintendent Manuel Abrugena was right in saying there is really a need for police to coordinate with other government agencies to help impoverished individuals in mountain barangays. This effort, he adds, is just one of the ways to shove farmers away from the lure of marijuana business.