EVENT SHOWS HOW TO GROW DRUG

A national exhibition with stalls selling marijuana seeds and
explaining how to grow the drug is hoping to bring more than 10,000
people to Shropshire.

The UK Hemp and Hydroponics Expo will be held at Telford
International Centre in May.

Weed World, a marijuana culture magazine which runs the event, does
not advocate growing the drug but says it is safer done by private
users than professional Vietnamese gangs who dominate the market.

Among the exhibitors will be Patricia Tabram, aka Granny Pat, a
68-year-old Northumberland woman who campaigns for the drug to be
legalised for medicinal use.

The event has been held for several years in Wembley and last time
attracted 12,000 visitors but moved because of building work.Philip
Kilv, Weed World's director, said he hoped the event may run in the
Midlands permanently after its first outing from May 5 to 7.

He said it attracted exhibitors from across the world.

It is divided into two exhibitions, which run simultaneously.

The Hydroponics Expo is about the practice of growing plants quickly
using only water and no soil. The Hemp Expo features products from
T-shirts to smoothies made of the crop, as well as marijuana seeds,
advice on growing and smoking equipment.

Mr Kilv said the event would attract many conventional gardeners who
use hydroponics as well as those interested in marijuana.

However, he defended those who grow it privately as opposed to
importing the drug, which is more likely to be dangerously treated,
or buying it from farms which are run by criminal gangs.

He said: "The major problem in the UK is imported weed that has been
coated with silica and can make people ill. We don't advocate growing
at all but if people are going to grow we would much rather
individuals do it for themselves."

Joanne Parton, from the international centre, said: "We are fully
aware the public may have some concerns as to the exact nature of
this event, but we are working extremely closely with the show
organisers to ensure a safe, and trouble-free show."