Helicopter over west end?

last night same thing over the east end. didnt hover though just flew over twice.

Quarterly marijuana eradication fly overs.

When will they learn?

Great! Let them fly over!

can they see that stuff at night???

can they see that stuff at night???

Ha, that's exactly what I thought when they buzzed over the other evening. I guess it would be a good test of some night vision gear.

Pretty sure they use an special sensor that senses the spectral output of weed (output is unique for different plant species). So they are not looking for it visually, but using instruments.

Pretty sure they use an special sensor that senses the spectral output of weed (output is unique for different plant species). So they are not looking for it visually, but using instruments.

Are you serious? That sounds like some incredible science - or did I just take the bait. 😎

stxem is a scientist. Don't think she is pulling your leg but she might be. LOL.*-)

They use infrared sensors. All plants give off heat signatures. They have done a lot of research and catalogued the heat signatures. Marijuana has its own. Several plants have similar signatures, you will often see MJ planted along with corn which has a similar signature.

I did mean infrared...don't know why I said spectral (which is electromagnetic reflection, not heat). But there are unique spectral signatures that plants give out that can be read by various sensors (and satellite spectrometers too).

Seems like a huge waste of time and resources. How would a cost/benefit analysis equate. 4k / hr to find 1K of weed.... Find the guns, find the people smugglers, bust the coke and smack. Crazy use of resources.

Seems like a huge waste of time and resources. How would a cost/benefit analysis equate. 4k / hr to find 1K of weed.... Find the guns, find the people smugglers, bust the coke and smack. Crazy use of resources.

But just think of all the people who are being saved from becoming addicts! After all weed is a gateway drug, unlike alcohol. Costs be damned! More government employment.

Careful RH - You're infinitesimally close to becoming a prospective associate member of club snarky with a comment like that. And I'm quite sure you don't want to be associated with our kind. 😎

Seems like a huge waste of time and resources. How would a cost/benefit analysis equate. 4k / hr to find 1K of weed.... Find the guns, find the people smugglers, bust the coke and smack. Crazy use of resources.

couldn't agree with you more bombi!!what a waste of money!

Seems like a huge waste of time and resources. How would a cost/benefit analysis equate. 4k / hr to find 1K of weed.... Find the guns, find the people smugglers, bust the coke and smack. Crazy use of resources.

couldn't agree with you more bombi!!what a waste of money!

I agree too! But the science behind the sensors is interesting! And could be useful for other, non-drug detecting uses--like plant conservation and so on...

One perspective is that say a guy who can't find or get a job grows some weed. He makes a few grand and buys stuff. Most stuff we buy is taxed so the guy contributes to the economy. He buys food, gas, fertilizer and clothes and shoes for his kids. He probably grows some of his food, shares with his neighbors and takes care of his family or he could enter the criminal justice system after being busted and cost us all $30 grand a year to chill in Golden Grove learning how to be a real bad man while his woman and family get every penny of public assistance available. The weed economy will always exist regardless of heliccopters. Spend the $ on drug education and rehab for people off the rail, patrol our Boarders and keep all the SA and DR coke from sickening the people. Start with the dangerous stuff then move down the line. More than 25 % of the states have seen the light, change soon come.

We have the tools. We can eradicate Tobacco!

Eradicate our Official Territorial Plant? It would never happen.

... patrol our Boarders and keep all the SA and DR coke from sickening the people. Start with the dangerous stuff then move down the line....

Nice concept, but in this 'war' on drugs civilians don't get to pick the battle. Stopping the hard stuff is obviously more difficult and dangerous, and there is more money involved. Got to be more fun to cruise around in a copter with some high tech toys looking for plants.
It is disappointing that this enforcement is destroying a nice underground economy and that MJ on the island is being imported from the mainland. Don't we import enough crap already that could be locally sourced. While far from being a consumer, I'm a proponent for establishing a medical MJ farm and exporting some VI branded. I think that time is coming. I'm no expert but this could be combined with a state of the art cancer treatment center for medical tourism. Have your chemo in paradise with locally grown medicinal herbs legally prescribed?

All that said, I am genuinely intrigued by the science involved in the detection equipment - very cool stuff. 😎

(PS, I think this discussion belongs under the coconut tree)

IslandHops, medical tourism with an emphasis on cancer treatment with VI branded medical MJ sounds like a great concept to me. There are certainly worse ways to stimulate the economy than trying to make someone's last days as pleasant and pain free as possible in a beautiful location with a comfortable climate.

Just imagine....