LaVina Collenberg stands in the entryway to her Arcata rental home, a former marijuana grow house. She learned that after a fire brought emergency crews who discovered plants in the soot. It was the first time I had been in a grow house, Collenberg said. I had heard about them but never thought I had one. I was completely shocked. (Robert Durell/Los Angeles Times)
Kevin Hoover, owner and editor of the Arcata Eye, a weekly newspaper, takes a break in his office. His paper has published numerous articles about marijuana grow houses in town. Residents and town leaders are concerned about the trend. (Robert Durell/Los Angeles Times)
Mark Wheetley, mayor of Arcata, says marijuana growing has become a quality-of-life issue in the town of 17,000. People from all camps say enough is enough, he said. It is like this renegade Wild West mentality.” (Robert Durell/Los Angeles Times)
