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    Back to Press Play with Madeleine Brand

    Press Play with Madeleine Brand

    California’s drought worsens due to people stealing water to grow illegal weed

    As the West Coast drought worsens, water is becoming a scarce and valuable resource, as well as a tempting target for thieves , especially those running illegal marijuana farms.

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    By Madeleine Brand • Jul 21, 2021 • 7m Listen

    As the West Coast drought worsens, water is becoming a scarce and valuable resource, as well as a tempting target for thieves, especially those running illegal marijuana farms. They’re stealing water by tapping into fire hydrants, backing water pumps into lakes and rivers, and even creating their own systems of dams and pipelines.

    The full episode

    2 of 5
    We need a cultural shift when it comes to vaccine requirements, says state lawmaker Buffy Wicks
    1. 0:00West Coast fires are creating their own weather patterns, pushing smoke thousands of miles east
    2. 7:31California’s drought worsens due to people stealing water to grow illegal weedYou’re reading this
    3. 15:25LA has a sense of nationhood, where all residents are connected, says ‘Everything Now’ author
    4. 30:53Vaccine mandate is needed to stop COVID surge, says CA Assemblymember Buffy Wicks
    5. 40:39Milwaukee Bucks beat Phoenix Suns in stunning win, its first NBA championship in 50 years
    • https://images.ctfassets.net/2658fe8gbo8o/AvYox6VuEgcxpd20Xo9d3/769bca4fbf97bf022190f4813812c1e2/new-default.jpg?h=250

      Madeleine Brand

      Host, 'Press Play'

    • KCRW placeholder

      Sarah Sweeney

      Vice President of Talk Programming, KCRW

    • KCRW placeholder

      Angie Perrin

      Producer, Press Play

    • KCRW placeholder

      Michell Eloy

      Former Producer/Line Editor, Press Play

    • KCRW placeholder

      Julie Cart

      projects and environment reporter for CalMatters

      NewsWildfiresEnvironmentCalifornia

    The full episode

    2 of 5
    We need a cultural shift when it comes to vaccine requirements, says state lawmaker Buffy Wicks
    1. 0:00West Coast fires are creating their own weather patterns, pushing smoke thousands of miles east
    2. 7:31California’s drought worsens due to people stealing water to grow illegal weedYou’re reading this
    3. 15:25LA has a sense of nationhood, where all residents are connected, says ‘Everything Now’ author
    4. 30:53Vaccine mandate is needed to stop COVID surge, says CA Assemblymember Buffy Wicks
    5. 40:39Milwaukee Bucks beat Phoenix Suns in stunning win, its first NBA championship in 50 years
    Back to Press Play with Madeleine Brand