Justice minister Ernst Hirsch Ballin has published draft legislation calling for a major clampdown on all aspects of the soft drugs industry, news agency ANP reports on Thursday.
The plan involves making sure everyone involved in the supply chain - from equipment suppliers (growshops) to traders and even electricians who help build illegal plantations face up to three years in prison, ANP says.
The legislation states all preparations 'making it possible' for illegal marijuana growing will be a criminal offence.
Blind eye
Although growing marijuana plants is technically illegal, in practise the public prosecution department takes no action against people who grow up to five plants. Possession of up to five grammes of cannabis is similarly ignored.
Last year, the department said police would be paying more attention to the mass growing of marijuana and the minister hopes this legislation will give them greater powers.
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.
Source
The plan involves making sure everyone involved in the supply chain - from equipment suppliers (growshops) to traders and even electricians who help build illegal plantations face up to three years in prison, ANP says.
The legislation states all preparations 'making it possible' for illegal marijuana growing will be a criminal offence.
Blind eye
Although growing marijuana plants is technically illegal, in practise the public prosecution department takes no action against people who grow up to five plants. Possession of up to five grammes of cannabis is similarly ignored.
Last year, the department said police would be paying more attention to the mass growing of marijuana and the minister hopes this legislation will give them greater powers.
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.
Source
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