New trends in illicit cannabis cultivation in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

• Autores: C. Bone, S.J. Waldron
• Localización: Boletín de estupefacientes, ISSN 0251-7086, Nº. 1, 1997-1998
• Idioma: inglés
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• Resumen

  • Since 1993, indoor cultivation of cannabis has become increasingly common in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland as a source of highly potent female flowering head material. The tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) content of samples of female flowering head material from indoor cultivation analysed by the Forensic Science Service has averaged about 8 per cent, with the highest THC levels measuring about 23 per cent. The potency is likely to depend on the variety of cannabis grown and the degree of sophistication of the cultivation techniques employed.

    These THC levels are significantly higher than the THC levels attained from outdoor grown plants analysed in the United Kingdom: about 1 per cent from cannabis leaf; about 3 per cent from female flowers; and 3-5 per cent from imported cannabis.

    The indoor cultivation technique generally employs some method of hydroponics, either active or passive, which allows a controlled supply of nutrients to the plants, together with use of powerful lights to allow optimum photosynthesis for growth or flowering purposes.

    The taking of cuttings from female plants is generally the preferred method for producing the next generation of plants, as the plants will be female and will contain a THC level similar to that of the previous generation. The use of cuttings obviously allows the potential for a continual supply or several harvests of cannabis per year.