Privacy vs. Policing: Maine's Electric Company's Plan To Expose Illegal Cannabis Grows Sparks Debate

As Maine grapples with the expansion of illegal cannabis grow houses hidden in rural settings, a new proposal by Versant Power to report unusually high electricity consumption directly to law enforcement has sparked a debate over privacy rights and the role of utility companies.

Versant Proposes Reporting High Electricity Use To Law Enforcement

Versant Power, responding to frequent subpoenas for electrical data in locations suspected of harboring illegal operations, suggested a proactive approach to the Maine Public Utilities Commission, reported The Associated Press. Arrian Myrick-Stockdell, the company’s corporate counsel, highlighted the efficiency of such reporting, noting, “Versant has a very high success rate in being able to identify these locations, but we have no ability to communicate with law enforcement proactively.”

Privacy Advocates Warn Of Constitutional Violations

This proposal, however, was not warmly received by all. Privacy advocates, including the nonprofit Electronic Privacy Information Center, warned that the proposal could be unconstitutional, as it might allow private data sharing without proper judicial oversight. There's "no probable cause, no warrant, no judicial review,” Alan Butler, the group's executive director, expressed concerns about potential violations of constitutional rights.

Jay Stanley from the American Civil Liberties Union echoed these sentiments, stressing the duty of utilities to protect customer privacy, not surveil it.

Supreme Court Upholds Home Privacy

The U.S. Supreme Court has historically upheld privacy protections within homes, ruling against warrantless thermal-imaging searches in 2001, noted AP. Versant's initiative also comes amidst broader concerns about transnational crime syndicates exploiting state legalization policies to cultivate and then transport cannabis to states where it remains illegal. The FBI and DEA are investigating these operations' potential ties to such criminal entities, including Chinese organized crime groups.

Read Also: Human Trafficking At Cannabis Farms: The Hidden Plight Of Immigrant Workers Abused In Oklahoma

Local law enforcement, including Somerset County Sheriff Dale Lancaster, sees potential in Versant’s proposal. “Law enforcement works best with community support,” Lancaster stated, endorsing the utility’s initiative as a constructive first step.

National Security Concerns Over Illegal Cannabis Grows

Meanwhile, the political sphere is taking notice. Republican Senator Susan Collins has been vocal about addressing these illegal grows, linking them to broader national security concerns due to their ties to Chinese organized crime. She pressed for enhanced federal involvement during discussions with Secretary of State Antony Blinken, underlining the scale of the issue with hundreds of illicit sites across Maine.

As Maine Public Utilities Commission deliberates over this proposal, the balance between aiding law enforcement and safeguarding consumer privacy remains a contentious issue. 

Read Next:

• New Mexico’s Dark Discovery: Chinese Workers Trapped On Illegal Cannabis Farms
• Maine’s Medical Marijuana Law Does Not Require Lab Testing, Public Health Advocates Want That To Change

Photo: Courtesy Somerset County Sheriff.