United States Drug Enforcement Administration

Domestic Cannabis Eradication / Suppression Program

The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) is striving to immobilize the spread of illegal cannabis cultivation in the United States. To accomplish this, in 1979, the DEA initiated the Domestic Cannabis Eradication/Suppression Program (DCE/SP) in response to the growing abuse of marijuana in the United States. DCE/SP is the only nationwide law enforcement program that exclusively targets drug trafficking organizations (DTO) involved in illegal cannabis cultivation. The primary objectives of DCE/SP are:

• halt the spread of illegal marijuana cultivation in the U.S.
• eradicate marijuana that is illegally cultivated
• disrupt and dismantle drug cartels in order to deprive them of significant revenue streams
• deter illegal cultivation of marijuana through arrest, prosecution, incarceration, and seizure of assets
• improve safety during operations through training
• share intelligence information on illegal marijuana cultivation among law enforcement agencies.
   

In 2023, DEA continued its nation-wide illegal cannabis eradication efforts, providing resources to support the 108 state and local law enforcement agencies that actively participate in the program. This assistance allows the enhancement of eradication enforcement activities throughout the nation. Mid-year 2023, DEA’s statistical reporting system was decommissioned which may cause possible under reporting. Reported data suggest DCE/SP was responsible for the eradication of 3,658,030 illegally cultivated indoor/outdoor marijuana plants. The program arrested 3,482 violators and removed 3,243 weapons from cannabis cultivators.

The success of the DCE/SP is directly attributed to the decision of the participating agencies to share intelligence, technology and manpower. In many areas of the U.S., illegal cultivators have been forced to abandon large outdoor cannabis plots in favor of smaller, better concealed illicit gardens. Illegal cultivators are also growing indoor and outdoor cannabis under the cover of various legal cannabis grows based on state regulation.

Additionally, illegal cultivators have turned to sophisticated technology to cultivate cannabis plants indoors. The use of hydroponics (growing plants in a nutrient laden solution rather than conventional soil) and other technological advances have enabled cultivators to increase the potency of Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the psychoactive ingredient in cannabis plants. Despite illegal cultivator efforts, the DEA and the cooperating DCE/SP agencies continue to identify and eliminate illegal cannabis grow sites throughout the United States.