Shops Offer Tips On How To Grow Cannabis

[boulder]

HYDROPONIC equipment suppliers are readily offering advice on how to grow cannabis and methods to avoid being caught, an Advertiser investigation has found.

 

A visit to 15 random Adelaide hydroponic equipment suppliers in the past week has uncovered the practice, with everything from prices to instructions and diagrams on how to set-up a clandestine drug laboratory to interested buyers.

 

One shop even offered to provide cannabis seeds "in secret" if hydroponic equipment was bought.

 

All shops recommended specialist equipment needed to create an elaborate secret set-up, including water pumps, pipes, nutrients to help with cultivation, aeration fans, insulation and large globes to promote plant growth.

 

Under law, retailers face criminal charges for providing such advice and police will now investigate the shops.

 

"Depending on the evidence available, any person, including those associated with hydroponics shops, offering advice or assistance to others on growing cannabis could potentially be charged with taking part in the production of a prohibited substance," a spokesman for Police Commissioner Mal Hyde said.

 

"South Australia police are concerned by allegations concerning individual hydroponic shops which have been raised by The Advertiser, and encourage representatives to provide information for assessment and follow up."

 

The investigation has prompted Opposition Police Minister Robert Brokenshire to call for hydroponic equipment retailers to be licensed.

 

He has vowed to introduce a Private Member's Bill if the Government does not act.

 

"Cannabis growth is high in this state and we have got these hydroponic shops readily available around your corner," Mr Brokenshire said.

 

"The link to organised crime and outlaw motorcycle gangs is huge in that industry."

 

He said the licensing system could restrict anyone with an illicit drug or criminal history - including outlaw motorcycle gang members - from entering the hydroponic industry.

 

Shops might also be forced to keep records of all transactions.

 

"The police have got warehouses full of hydroponic equipment but clearly the current laws aren't working," he said. "By regulating and licensing hydroponic suppliers we are going to have some control over them."

 

Mr Hyde's spokesman said police would support the regulation of the hydroponics industry, with almost 70 per cent of the state's 66 outlets having suspected or confirmed links to criminal organisations.

 

"The availability and use of illicit drugs with its consequent effects on crime levels and the wellbeing of the community is a major concern to South Australia police," the spokesman said.

 

"Police would welcome regulation of the hydroponics industry or in fact any other measures which would assist with a reduction in the production of cannabis."

 

Last calendar year police arrested or reported 1290 people for growing cannabis hydroponically and seized 6684 plants. Police are concerned with the link between cannabis production and violent home invasions - with 66 home invasions between 2002 and 2003 directly linked to the illicit drug.

 

South Australia has the highest number of hydroponic shops per capita in Australia.

 

The Advertiser

[Chev]

Here we go, now it's known you can get advice, Hydro shops are going to face undercover pigs trying to bust owners........great, how much do you guys wanna bet that the great advice you can get from some of these guys will be cut pretty quickly :angry:

Now that it's actually happened in SA, it'll happen in other states, it's only a matter of time.

Edited April 12, 2004 by Chev

[Bhagoyandi]

Hmm, 1290 people busted, 6684 plants confiscated, a bit more than five plants each. Sounds like they're really after the Mr.(and Ms.)Bigs,hey what?

[Guest]

Advertiser investigation? What the fuck is that? Some trashy tabloid? Unfuckingbelievable. This has been going on for decades and they just noticed. Over 70% of customers are growing pot for chrissakes. Thats what a hydroponic store owner told me. These journalists are nothing but wankers.

 

Time to stock up on hydro equipment.

[white_cluster]

Any store offering information that can be linked directly with cannabis and no other plants is a fucking idiot, all plants have buds, all plants need nutes and light, to make it obvious the info your giving is about weed is absolutely retarded thing to do.

 

Hmm, 1290 people busted, 6684 plants confiscated, a bit more than five plants each

 

yeah absolute fucking bullshit. :angry: , prooves noone is safe.

[risingsun]

Have to agree with you white cluster being a former resident of Adelaide and Adelaide being a market garden city. it's not hard to talk about tomatoes or lettuces.

Good sales pitch though, "welcome, come in to my shop, i'll tell you how to do it, supply everything you need at a very reasonable price and a small profit for myself, if you buy everything I say I'll even give you the seed to get you started, tell you how much you should recieve as a price and who to sell it to". What an idiot.

Sayonara

[Quad Damage]

MOst of them arent that stupid...and you can bet that if the media is reporting to the cops its only because marijauana bust newspapers sell very well as opposed to run of the mill crimes...Ive never heard a hydro store operator refer to marijuana at all...he might allude to tomatoes etc etc...just think about someone with an agenda going into a hydro store trying to extract every little bit of info and hope for a fuckup...thats what detectives are taught...so are media assholes

 

If this law comes in everyone who grows hydro will be screwed...it will push prices higher and the only ones who will be able to obtain the gear will be bikies etc etc

 

Dont forget that their stats will have included the outdoor busts to perk em up...

 

Bascially they have been pushing to make everyone who buys hydro equipment show a drivers licence and give their address SO THE COPS DONT HAVE TO DO ANY WORK....this is the same ole shit they have been trying for the last 3 years

 

Robert Brokenshire is behind it...is ya see him out in public feel free to spit on him..if ya see him in private...well the choices are yours

[Buddy]

I rang a hydroponic store in Sydney a few weeks ago to enquire about a digital timer....one of the questions he asked me was "what are you growing"?

Must have been a new starter.

[pipeman]

Knowing when to shut up is a skill that not many kids seem to know.

 

Anyway, when I first walked into a hydro store maybe 2 years ago I was amazed at all the MJ specific products on the shelves and wondered how can they justify selling this stuff? I believe there are laws in most states prohibiting the sale of equipment to cultivate illegal drugs, so there must be a legitimate use for Canna and Dutch Master products other than growing pot. Anyone know what it is?

[Guest Wilderbud]

there must be a legitimate use for Canna...

Looks like you use it to grow 1 tonne capsicum. =)