1. The first paragraph of a news article should answer the questions who, what, where and when. List the who, what, where and when of this news item. (NOTE: The remainder of a news article provides details on the why and/or how.)

2. In addition to illegally growing cannabis in residential homes, what crimes are the Chinese gangs involved in?

3. What charges were brought against seven Chinese nationals by the U.S. Department of Justice in July?

4. Where did the Chinese nationals obtain the marijuana they were selling?

5. a) Who is Al Tempesta? In how many of the towns he inspects does he say there are illegal marijuana grow houses?
b) What are the signs that a residence is an illegal grow house?
c) Why did Mr. Tempesta refuse to approve an electrical upgrade request in one specific house?

6. a) Paul Mills, a real estate attorney and older brother of 78 year old Maine Gov. Janet Mills was involved in transferring ownership of one of the grow houses to a person in China. What excuse did he give for doing so without alerting authorities?
b) Mr. Mills has has his real estate business for almost 50 years. He works in a fairly rural area. Do you think he isn't aware of the illegal marijuana grow houses run by Chinese nationals? Explain your answer.

7. What is the problem with giving people licenses to grow marijuana in the state of Maine, according to John Hudak, director of the state's Office of Cannabis Policy?

8. a) For what types of suspected crimes have Maine state police been called to one large marijuana grow facility?
b) What did the state police say about the facility in 2021?

9. Gov. Janet Mills, a Democrat, is term-limited and will be running for the U.S. Senate in the upcoming election. She has not addressed the issue of the Chinese criminal gangs operating throughout her state. The governor serves as the state’s chief executive and commander-in-chief of the military forces (Maine National Guard). The governor directs the executive branch, enforcing state laws and managing departments.
a) What responsibility does Gov. Mills have to order investigations, arrests and prosecutions of these Chinese criminal gangs?
b) Gov. Mills has been in office since 2019. Why do you think she is refusing to address this criminal network operating throughout her state?

10. The Chinese criminal gang doesn't appear to be afraid of Maine government or law enforcement. Even after some were indicted, many more continue their criminal activities.
Maine has a Democratic trifecta. The Democratic Party controls the office of governor and both chambers of the state legislature.
The Secretary of State, and Attorney General are also Democrats.
a) The Maine attorney general is the chief legal advisor and prosecutor of the state of Maine. What should Maine's Attorney General be doing about this criminal network?
b) What should Maine's legislature be doing about this criminal network and the glaring loopholes in the Cannabis licensing law?
c) What should Maine law enforcement be doing?