The Hoopa Valley Tribe of California will be taking part in a study to determine the environmental impacts of marijuana farms.

Marijuana growers typically protect their crops with rat poison. One study that involved the tribe has already shown how the poison harms the endangered Pacific fisher, a member of the weasel family.

The new study will look at the spotted owl, a threatened species. The tribe has been working to protect the owl.

The study is being funded by a $200,000 grant that the tribe received from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Get the Story:
Marijuana Crops in California Threaten Forests and Wildlife (The New York Times 6/21)
Poison from pot grows looked at in owl deaths in Humboldt County (The Eureka Times-Standard 5/30)
Scientists examine rat poison on pot farms as possible spotted owl threat (AP 5/28)

Related Stories:
Hoopa Valley Tribe concerned about rise in marijuana operations (8/9)