Sure they can, with all the information and technology they have and can acquire it would be foolish to think that they can't track each and every one of us. With the economy in the shitter again in the USA it's making it easier to look the other way about weed. How else could they have legalized it in Colorado and Washington? The reason they did is because they want to conserve the money being used ineffectively throughout the states. Now other states are taking notice to see how it works out for them, then they will adopt it. It will be slow just like MMJ, but it's progress to say that the government doesn't care as much about it as they used to. They're losing too much money for such little gain. I know the laws are there, they know the laws are there, we can both blatantly ignore them if we see that an arrest, conviction, sentencing and housing will cost the taxpayers; not only in the state, but federally; an amount ranging from $15,000-$25,000 a year per person. That is another person not contributing to society, that is another person honing their skills to be a better criminal, that is another person with a hell of a lot of time on their hands to think. When you're alone, I mean truly alone, you can think and think and think. I don't see them wanting to spend that much money in this day and age to stop a few people from growing a plant. If you're doing a grow-op, you already know the dangers involved so I don't think you would be asking about that. For the commoner look up a thread called something like "Busted in Raleigh!". There was a guy who threw out some leaves or clippings in the trash, said his license plate was tagged when he went to his local hydro store, and they followed him and went through his garbage looking for hard evidence. Be cautious, don't ever let your guard down. It's good to be a little on edge, that way you won't get too comfortable and get lazy. Don't give them a reason to look at you any differently. All boxes, bags, trimmings, clippings, excess dirt, parts, clips, wires, anything that has come into contact with what you're doing, burn it, melt it, bury it, but do not put it in the trash. It becomes public property then. Also some people are not on septic tanks like I am, so when you flush you're flushing out into the great wide open. I don't know where that goes, but it's something else to think about. Well I guess that's about enough ranting for one day
Just be safe out there, don't do silly things and you will be fine. Always look for undercover cops, white, black and gray Crown Vic's, Chargers, Mustangs, Suburbans, all with tinted windows and a few extra antennas. On a side note, it's a sad day for munchies since Hostess is now dead.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hostess_Brands