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'Organised' marijuana growers face crackdownMonday 30 November 2009 Police and justice ministry officials are launching a major crack down on organised gangs who engage in large-scale marijuana growing, the public prosecution department said on Sunday. In particular, police efforts will focus on international drugs gangs who oversee the entire process, from 'production to exports and laundering the criminal proceeds' the department said in a statement. Although growing marijuana plants is technically illegal, in practice police take no action against people who grow up to five plants. The possession of up to five grammes of cannabis is similarly ignored. Innocence However, police figures show the growing of marijuana has 'left its innocent character far behind', the department said. Some 8,000 professional plantations are found in private homes, in commercial properties and in farm sheds every year. In September alone, police in Limburg found seven large and 87 small plantations hidden in sweet corn fields after police flew over the region in a helicopter. The biggest had 15,000 plants. 'Estimates show the Netherlands has some 30,000 to 40,000 marijuana plantations. Some 80% to 90% is for export... there is a growing export sector which is damaging our image,' the department said. Cash crop The department estimates the Dutch marijuana industry to turn over between €2.5bn and €5bn a year, making the plant one of the country's biggest cash crops behind tomatoes and cucumbers. As well as the export of illegal drugs, there is increasing violence between drugs gangs involved in this lucrative trade, the department said. Between 2000 and 2006, it is thought 25 people were killed in drugs-related violence in the six southern police regions alone. © DutchNews.nl Get the DutchNews.nl newsletter in your mailbox: Click here to subscribe
Firstly I fail to see how the growing export industry is damaging Holland's image and secondly if they legalised fully they would be able to do away with the violence. Violence will only abound when there are huge illegal profits to be made. By Karen Naylor | November 30, 2009 10:17 AM fail, legalise it and regulate, to hell with what other counties say, you are a sovereifn stare are you not, or are you the puppet of USA, france and belgium etc, ill tell you what damages your image, the big scary guys that offer you cocaine in Amsterdam...get the religious idiots out of govearnment ASAP, Hemp will save the planet, it DEVOURS CO2 at an extraordinary rate. go on, lead the way for us all, go down in history as the nation that saved the world By adhd | November 30, 2009 3:44 PM As the EU continues gaining more power over the single state countries, any hope of repealing the marijuana laws here in NL.will fade. Don't forget that this article is pure speculation as to the amount of weed that's produced here & not fact. The "25 people were killed in drugs-related violence" does not state "Soft-drugs" and states "It is thought" - only.) Also don't forget the small discrepancy of 2.5 BILLION! Therefore: because of the illegality, one can ONLY hazard a guess. [In reality, the figures mentioned hear should be much higher] There is probably more corruption & illegal activity going on within the big Pharma agenda, than some cornfield hidden weeds!!! Take Baxter's swine/bird/elephant/monkey flu vaccines for example...Duh!) Or not??? By stevie | November 30, 2009 4:34 PM Make the whole thing legal and the violence will disappear overnight. Then just tax everything legally and the State will reap the rewards, not the drugs gangs. And maybe finally the politicans and police will be able to concentrate on more worthwhile activities than hunting down marijuana plants. By Cathy Scott | November 30, 2009 7:36 PM seriously, between 2.5 and 5 bn euro per year? I would bet it is more and what a half assed statistic anyway! Further, if it were legal, there would not have been any killings and the govt could have made money on taxing the product! Everyone who is in favor of cannabis prohibition should pull there head out of their ass, set down their martini and actually help the situation! END PROHIBITION NOW By Tony | November 30, 2009 11:42 PM Of course, the police are not athat stupid; they realize, prohibition causes the violence. But they are more concerned about their payscale, and are addicted to the adrenalin rush. By Kevin | December 1, 2009 12:29 AM As Holland and the EU tighten their once pragmatic stance on cannabis, other nations in the Northern hemisphere are relaxing their laws regarding cannabis. There are viable medical conditions in which cannabis can be a great help. Recreationally, it is one of the safest substances that are used/abused for mind alteration. The only position to take is full legalization for adults. Will the people of the EU be smart and bold enough to take this pragmatic step? Peace n Love. By Rich | December 1, 2009 6:19 AM My latest Dutch Huisart says that cannabis is of no medical value and is just an illegal drug that causes Severe Mental Incapacity ... other Drs disagree, but they getting them to put their disagreement in writing!!! By Gerard | December 1, 2009 4:02 PM Place your comments: |
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"Some 80% to 90% is for export... there is a growing export sector which is damaging our image,' the department said"
There is far more being done every day by Netherlands Government Departments that is far more damaging to the Dutch 'Image'. So ... I don't think they need any help from marijuana growers!
It must prove that the growers are doing something right in responding to market demand. Maybe if the Ministry of Health responded to patient need in a similar manner it would reduce some of the illegal growing.
By Gerard | November 30, 2009 10:13 AM