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Cannabis damaging users' mental health say police
HIGH strength cannabis on the streets of West Yorkshire could be damaging the mental health of smokers, claim police.
The warning came after several more cannabis "farms" were discovered in houses across the county, bringing the total number discovered since the start of 2007 to 520 – a total of more than 57,500 cannabis plants.
Officers have discovered that cannabis on the streets of West Yorkshire tends to be more potent. It also warns that the reclassification of cannabis from class C to class B on Monday January 26 will have serious implications for those who consume and cultivate the drug.
The Home Office says there will be "more robust enforcement" against cannabis supply and possession – and not just warnings for those caught with the drug.
Force drugs co-ordinator Bryan Dent said: "We take the use of cannabis very seriously in West Yorkshire. Through intelligence gathered by officers recently, we know that the THC (tetra-hydro-cannibol) content of cannabis in West Yorkshire is higher than the national average.
"This further adds fuel to the debate about links between mental health issues and cannabis use. We are particularly concerned that young people who are smoking cannabis are damaging their health, especially their mental health.
"But by taking a tough stance against cannabis factories we are making West Yorkshire a hostile environment to the organised crime groups who tend to be behind these cannabis factories. We do not want them in West Yorkshire and if they want to cultivate cannabis here then they run the risk of being found and prosecuted."
Recent police raids have uncovered cannabis factories in Leeds, Huddersfield and Wakefield. On Wednesday morning almost 500 plants were found growing in a house in Trentham Grove, Beeston, Leeds.
A man in his 30s was arrested.
On Wednesday afternoon 36 cannabis plants were found in the loft of a house in West Avenue, Honley, Huddersfield. Two men in their 20s were arrested.
On Saturday keen-eyed Neighbourhood Watch members helped police discover a cannabis factory in Sandal, Wakefield. Plants were found in a garage and the house.
If you think you know of a cannabis factory then call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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