Plant smuggling
what is the matter with cops stopping vehicles and asking if they have plants and fruits inside?
shareWho said there was something to "matter" with it?
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MovieChat Forums > The Grapes of Wrath (1940) Discussion > Plant smuggling
Just a guess but it may have something to do with keeping out any crop that might introduce insects or diseases into California. I tried to bring back a coconut from the Bahamas when I was a kid and the customs agent explained why I couldn't bring it back to the U.S.
shareHey folks,
Different states have had different regulations for many years concerning the importation of certain plants considered deleterious or invasive. I cannot imagine how they can enforce the regulations today when we have so many interstate highways, but back in 1939 it would have been a lot easier to stop traffic to check.
I remember the scene in the film pretty well, and I am sure the cops were not looking for marijuana or anything like that.
Best wishes,
Dave Wile
California still has agriculture check stations on all the interstate highways entering the state.
shareThere are state checkpoints still looking for plant pests. They don't look very hard. But in the movie the inspectors are much harsher, demanding that the Joads completely unload their truck. I think many Californians at then time resented workers streaming in from the mid-west and taking local jobs. The LAPD sent police officers to Needles to try to turn back indigent Okies for a while.
shareThat's what they say it is, but I think it has more to do with economics than protecting crops.
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I blame autocorrect.
You may all go to hell, and I will go to Texas.