MCCRACKEN COUNTY, Ky. — Like many plants, marijuana needs sunlight and water.
"You put high humidity, sunlight and a water source, and this plant takes off," Chief Deputy Mike Turnbow said Monday.
He said the summer's sweltering conditions were ideal for marijuana. While some growers likely gave up, major operators made up for Mother Nature's inadequacies by using irrigation systems and thrived.
"It'll probably be a large harvest for those individuals," Turnbow said.
Lt. Brent White with Kentucky State Police said not just a large harvest, but also a green one. Usually, when he takes to the skies, he said he and other trained spotters are looking for foot traffic and oftentimes, in a sea of green, they look for marijuana's distinct shade.
Now, Lt. White figures it will be easier than ever to spot marijuana plants among dead and dying brown vegetation.
"The marijuana plant that's receiving human elements and that nutritional element of water and care is going to stand out that much more."
It is good news because state budget cuts have grounded some of KSP's flights. But because those plants will stand out so much, White does not believe that reduced number of trips will affect their operations.
Normally marijuana growers harvest in mid September or early October. This year, because the plants are maturing faster, they will be out there in the coming weeks.
That time coincides with the start of squirrel season. So, law enforcement is asking hunters to keep their eyes open.
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