Are you saying those grows wouldn’t be there in nearly as great a number if Oregon hadn’t legalized?
If so, I don’t follow your logic.
It’s very simple. Because recreational mj growing is now “legal” - if permits and licenses are obtained, with certain rules and restrictions, now the illegals growers have not only come out of the closet, but like locusts, come from all over the place, and figure there are too many for LE to take care. Which is the fact. Legal growers have to have their dope tested for excess ag etc chemicals, only sell to OR licensed sellers, pay taxes, etc. So few want to go that route when they can - so far - just grow illegally without any repercussions.
How can a tiny Sheriff’s office take care of way over 1000 illegal grow ops, many run by regular criminals, MX, Russian, Bulgarian etc gangs? Ha ha - doesn’t happen.