Marijuana growers in Central Oregon are exploiting a loophole to use federal reclaimed water in their growing operations. Federal policy imposed in May 2015 prohibits the use of water from federal reclamation projects to grow marijuana, still considered a controlled substance under federal law.
The Tumalo Irrigation District in Central Oregon paid back the money spent by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation to build parts of the irrigation system. Thus, the district’s water rights have only loose ties to the bureau, or none at all.
To obtain a license to grow marijuana commercially, the Oregon Liquor Control Commission requires applicants to show a qualified source of water.
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