A STAGGERING half a million people in the UK are running secret cannabis farms in their homes. An explosion in production of the drug means hundreds of thousands of suburban houses have been converted into hidden marijuana factories. The booming industry is fuelled by gangs switching from hard drugs such as cocaine and heroin because of the more lenient penalties for cannabis, police say. An investigation found dealers know they will escape jail if they grow fewer than ten plants in a single property - even if they are growing the dangerously potent skunk form. [continues 558 words]
MEMBERS of the government's drug advisory body yesterday questioned its future in the wake of the sacking of Professor David Nutt, and demanded showdown talks with Home Secretary Alan Johnson. Scientists on the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD) threatened to quit unless Mr Johnson addressed "serious concerns" about the council's relationship with government. In a letter, they called for "clarity and assurances" from ministers about how they viewed the ACMD and how they would treat its advice in future. [continues 409 words]
