Where There's Smoke
The Environmental Science, Public Policy, and Politics of Marijuana
Edited by Char Miller
Released in January 2018

Where There's Smoke is a first-of-its-kind anthology that draws on the insights of scientists, researchers, and activists and ranges across the humanities, natural sciences, and social sciences to explore the the troubling environmental consequences of illegal marijuana production on public, private and tribal lands.
With an introduction by Jared Huffman and illuminating content from 18 expert contributors, this book provides critical insight for everyone interested in understanding the wide-ranging impacts of illegal marijuana cultivation. 

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About John

John, a California native, grew up in a small town in rural Santa Clara County. The eldest of four, he and his brothers and sister developed a love for nature and the natural environment.

He initially began college with the goal of becoming a civil engineer but during winter break of his first semester, he fortuitously met a fish and game warden in the back country of Henry Coe State Park on a back packing trip and was instantly inspired to become one himself. 

Inspiration led to a certainty of purpose and as soon as he got back to school, he changed his major to Criminal Justice and began pursing a career as a fish and game warden for the state of California. 

In February of 1992 he was hired by the California Department of Fish and Game and was assigned to Riverside County for the first three years of his career before eventually transferring to his home town district in Santa Clara County.  He was promoted to squad lieutenant in June 2005. 

He is a field training officer for new cadets, and conducts training in firearms, defensive tactics, high risk warrant and arrest tactics as well as basic and advanced sniper training programs with fellow instructors from the Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office. He is also a member of the local allied agency Marijuana Eradication Teams (MET) in Santa Clara and San Benito Counties.

John has a Masters of Science degree from San Jose State University in Criminal Justice Administration (1998) and a Bachelor of Science Degree (1990) from San Jose State University in that same discipline.   

Outside of work, John’s hobbies and interests are varied. He is an accomplished musician. He sings and plays bass guitar. He likes to challenge himself with training for and competing in Ironman Triathlons.  He enjoys hunting...big game, predator, and varmint. He also enjoys hiking, photography, video production, scuba diving, ATV riding and racing and adventure traveling throughout the world.


Since 2002 John and his childhood friends have been motorcycle and ATV adventure riding in Baja, Mexico.  In 2006 John and his riding buddies decided to race in the region and started a fund raising effort for the kids at El Oasis Children’s orphanage in central Baja.  

In 2010, J&J Ironman Racing Team was formed, and John and his teammate Jeff Moore each soloed the entire 438 mile Baja 500 course.  

John and Jeff completed the ultimate challenge, to solo the Baja 1000 race in November 2011.          

Very close to John’s heart are his three siblings (the Wolf Pack), his family in Montana and the children at El Oasis Orphanage in Baja, Mexico. Since 2006 his charity fundraising efforts have helped the orphanage provide education, food, clothing and shelter for all of the kids there.