An average of a quarter of a million cannabis plants are discovered each year across the country.

And a study has said this would have a total street value of more than £62 million.

The figures are from a National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) study. It’s based on information from the returns of 27 police forces across the UK, and they added the commercial cultivation of cannabis “continues to pose a significant risk to the UK”.

They say in some cases the production and selling of the class B drug was used to fund other criminal activity – money laundering, human trafficking and illegal immigration.

The Nimbin Hemp Embassy has accused NSW police of destroying ‘a truckload of good medicine’ with its latest cannabis eradication raids.

Echonetdaily reported yesterday that police had seized more than 12,500 cannabis plants at Cawongla, Wadeville, New Italy, Double Duke, Jackie Bulbin, Mummulgum, Bulldog and Ewingar in recent weeks.

Another 8,000 plants were seized from a large crop in the Bundjalung National Park in November.

Police said the plants had an estimated potential street value of more than $8 million, despite the fact many were juveniles.

Nimbin Hemp Embassy president Michael Balderstone said the estimated value placed on the plants by police was ‘nonsense’.

Map shows most people are seeking treatment for cannabis and opioids. Image / RecoveryBrands

A new drug map built on data from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) reveals New Zealand as one of the world's highest cannabis consumers, and the highest country for drug rehabilitation.

We’ve all had a terrible edible experience at least once in our lives.

Fooled by the overall deliciousness of the treat, you eat the whole damn thing and end up getting way too high. I’m talking about the way-too-high-to-be-outside-right-now type of high. That sh*t ain’t fun, man.

Miguel Trinidad is the man who’s changing that. As head chef and owner of NYC’s first Filipino gastropub, Jeepney, he’s reinventing the edible game with marijuana meals that will blow your mind.

People around the world have a lot of drugs to choose from, but marijuana, far and away, is the world’s drug of choice.

According to data compiled by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, cannabis is the most used drug in nearly every country on Earth.*

And although it is the most consumed drug in the world, marijuana is not the most treated drug in the world; that honor goes to opioids.

One country, however, is trying hard to combat its pot problem. New Zealand, according to the data, ranks third in the world for cannabis use, just behind the United States and Iceland.

The gradual legalisation of cannabis across US states is a triumph for the American Dream, says Sarah Dunant.

Will Florida, the nation’s third most populated state, catch up with the 23 other states that have made it legal for patients to buy, possess and use marijuana as medicine?

The answer is a positive maybe.

Keith, 80, and Jeanne Shell of Bradenton signed a petition in September petition supporting an amendment to legalize recreational marijuana. The “Floridians for Freedom” effort seems to be a long shot as a February deadline for signatures draws near. STAFF PHOTO / THOMAS BENDER

The United for Care medical marijuana advocacy group is poised to take a second stab at a constitutional amendment in the presidential election cycle of 2016.

Whether in response to that or on their own, several Republican legislators have put forward their own proposals.

The federal health minister says "the world is going to be looking to Canada to make sure we do the job well" when it comes to legalizing and regulating marijuana.

In an interview with CBC News, Jane Philpott said the government will look abroad for best practices, but said she doesn't see a perfect model anywhere.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau campaigned on the legalization and regulation of marijuana for recreational use, and has mandated Philpott, along with Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale and Justice Minister Jody Wilson-Raybould, to create a federal-provincial-territorial process to accomplish that.

Marie Brizard Wine & Spirits has launched a premium cannabis-flavoured vodka in travel retail. 

Shotka was highlighted by Marie Brizard at last month’s TFWA World Exhibition in Cannes and is aimed at night clubbing fans aged from 18 to 28. The spirit, according to Marie Brizard, does not have the narcotic effects of the drug (also known as marijuana) but “stands out with its unique and unexpected taste”. 

Marijuana opponents like Kevin Sabet were very certain that Colorado voters would regret voting for marijuana legalization in 2012. Three years later, there is no buyer’s remorse in Colorado. In fact, the same percentage of voters that approved marijuana legalization in Colorado on Election Day 2012 stated that they still support it according to a poll recently released by Quinnipiac University. Per 9News:

Fifty-five percent of Colorado voters say they support the voter-passed law that legalized marijuana in the state, while 41 percent are opposed. And 53 percent said they believe that legalizing marijuana has been good for the state.