Surprise armed inspections rattle Humboldt farmers

Armed state officials convoyed through through southern Humboldt County last week conducting surprise inspections on licensed cannabis farms.

The actions, which left farmers feeling targeted and disrespected, were conducted to look for illegal water diversions in the badly depleted Redwood Creek Watershed, part of the Eel River system. However, the inspections come at a time of raw emotions since falling prices, coupled with the costs of staying compliant, have created a crisis for legacy cannabis farmers. Southern Humboldt farmers say they're being made scapegoats for drought conditions outside their control.  

Daniel Stein, who owns . . .