Pubdate: Wed, 20 Mar 2013 Source: Guardian, The (UK) Copyright: 2013 Guardian News and Media Limited Contact: http://www.guardian.co.uk/guardian/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/175 Author: Haroon Siddique Page: 5 'CATCH AND SNIFF ' CARDS TO TARGET CANNABIS FARMS Marijuana-scented cards are being distributed across the UK in the hope they will help people to sniff out crime, literally. The scratch- and-sniff cards are intended to help people identify illegal cannabis farms. Over the last two years, police have seized more than 1m marijuana plants, with an estimated value of more than UKP 200m, and there was a 15% increase in cannabis farms in 2011-12. With the help of the police, Crimestoppers will be distributing the cards, which replicate the smell of the drug in its growing state. Anyone hoping for a cheap high will be disappointed, however: the charity points out that the cards do not contain marijuana's active ingredient, THC. Crimestoppers' director of operations, Roger Critchell, said: "We are distributing scratch-and-sniff cards because not many people know how to recognise the signs of cannabis cultivation happening in their neighbourhood. Many are also not familiar with the established links between this crime and serious organised crime." The UK National Problem Profile report on commercial cannabis cultivation, produced last year, identified a significant move towards residential dwellings for growing cannabis plants. Among the areas targeted for distribution of the cards are West and South Yorkshire, London, Greater Manchester and Avon & Somerset, which have the highest numbers of cannabis farms in the UK. The Association of Chief Police Officers (Acpo) found West Yorkshire to have the most cannabis farms in 2010-12, with nearly 1,800, while South Yorkshire was second, with more than 1,600. Andy Bliss, from Acpo, said: "These farms ... bring crime and antisocial behaviour into local communities, causing real harm and leaving people feeling unsafe." - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom