Marijuana: America's Number One Cash Crop (and it's going untaxed)

Based on a comparison with average production values of other crops from 2003 to 2005 marijuana is the top cash crop in 12 states, one of the top 3 cash crops in 30 states, and one of the top 5 cash crops in 39 states. <23> Marijuana is the largest cash crop in Alaska, Alabama, California, Connecticut, Hawaii, Kentucky, Maine, North Carolina, Oregon, South Carolina, Tennessee, and West Virginia. (See Table 8 below.)

Domestic marijuana production often takes place in marginal areas not usually associated with agricultural production. In addition to indoor cultivation in trailers, closets, basements, and attics marijuana is grown outdoors along fence lines, in forests, on other public lands, in undeveloped rural countryside areas, and on other parts of private land generally inaccessible and unseen by the public.


Table 8. Thirty States Where Marijuana is One of the Top Three Cash Crops
Average Values 2003 – 2005; Production Values ($1000s)



Alaska-------------------------New Hampshire
Marijuana $129,223-------------Hay $16,163
Hay $6,820---------------------Marijuana $10,349
-------------------------------Apples $6,637

Alabama--------------------New Mexico
Marijuana $569,409---------Hay $173,963
Cottonp $198,393-----------Vegetables $98,525
Hay $120,262---------------Marijuana $41,226

Arizona------------------Nevada
Vegetables $778,779------Hay $161,868
Marijuana $274,590-------Marijuana $49,172
Hay $229,245-------------Vegetables $34,817

California----------------New York
Marijuana $13,848,267-----Hay $341,845
Vegetables $5,668,637-----Marijuana $329,565
Grapes $2,607,181---------Vegetables $311,832

Connecticut----------------Ohio
Marijuana $32,179----------Soybeans $1,165,908
Hay $20,517----------------Corn $1,004,106
Tobacco All $11,270--------Marijuana $457,316

Florida---------------------Oklahoma
Vegetables $1,289,360-------Wheat $522,918
All Oranges $1,046,646------Hay $334,511
Marijuana $593,802----------Marijuana $73,021

Georgia---------------------Oregon
Cotton $498,574-------------Marijuana $473,972
Marijuana $438,858----------Hay $346,751
Vegetables $421,748---------Wheat $195,018

Hawaii--------------------Rhode Island
Marijuana $3,819,383------Hay $3,101
Sugarcane $64,953---------Vegetables $2,902
Macadamia $40,125---------Marijuana $2,481

Illinois------------------South Carolina
Corn $4,062,034-----------Marijuana $142,434
Soybeans $2,728,190-------Tobacco $97,136
Marijuana $272,586--------Cotton $92,256

Indiana------------------Tennessee
Corn $1,813,064----------Marijuana $4,787,250
Soybeans $1,541,358------Soybeans $277,861
Marijuana $312,058-------Hay $252,365

Kentucky-----------------Utah
Marijuana $4,474,952-----Hay $220,251
Hay $421,036-------------Marijuana $29,020
Tobacco $410,551--------Wheat $23,630

Massachusetts---------------Virginia
Cranberries $51,016---------Hay $304,825
Hay $26,470-----------------Marijuana $191,822
Marijuana $20,396-----------Soybeans $106,684

Maine-----------------------Vermont
Marijuana $122,824----------Hay $49,294
Hay $32,726-----------------Marijuana $29,009
Apples $12,285--------------Apples $9,832

Michigan--------------------Washington
Corn $537,908---------------Apples $1,145,133
Soybeans $420,201-----------Marijuana $1,030,015
Marijuana $324,830 Wheat $507,220

North Carolina---------------West Virginia
Marijuana $672,253-----------Marijuana $494,328
Tobacco $539,872-------------Hay $63,905
Cotton $306,317--------------Corn $7,636

http://www.drugscience.org/Archive/bcr2/cashcrops.html