The price of marijuana plant cuttings has soared since police in Noord-Brabant province have made a special effort to stop growers, the NRC says on Wednesday.

‘We have simply searched in our system for people who have been convicted of growing cuttings in the past,’ spokesman John Kiers told the paper. Visits to convicted growers resulted in the seizure of 27,000 cuttings in February and March – enough for 165 plantations, Kiers said.

‘Thanks to telephone taps, we also know that criminals are complaining about the price and quality of the cuttings,’ Kiers said. ‘Last year a cutting cost €1.90 but now they are up to €7.25.’ The shortage of supply is also having an impact on growers, Kiers said.

By targeting cuttings producers, police hope to cut out an important link in the drugs production chain. ‘By removing the cuttings, we no longer have to bust all those plantations,’ he said.

Licenced cafes

While the police turn a blind eye to the sale of small amounts of marijuana in licenced cafes or coffee shops, cultivation is illegal, as is selling products to be used in marijuana growing.

The government is coming under increasing pressure to allow some form of regulated growing but has consistently refused to do so.

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