By By Lynn Curwin Nov 8, 2010 in World Rotterdam - Dutch authorities are handing out 30,000 scratch cards with a marijuana odour as part of their efforts to fight the illegal cultivation of cannabis. "Citizens must be alerted to the dangers they face as a result of these plantations, and if they become aware of any suspect situations they must report them," The green cards being distributed to people in The Hague and Rotterdam are about 20 by 10 centimetres (eight by four inches) and release a cannabis odour when scratched. They also include a police telephone number. Loos said that if the project is successful it could become a national operation. Authorities estimate there are some 40,000 illegal cannabis plantations hidden inside buildings in the Netherlands. About 6,000 are discovered every year. Richard Anderiesse, a spokesman for Rotterdam’s cannabis task force, said that about 300 grow-ops, containing 600 to 1,000 plants, are found in that city. Stedin gas and electric company spokeswoman Renee de Bruin warned that the plantations pose a high risk of fire, as tapping the water and power can result in short circuits. The possession and consumption of less than five grammes (0.18 ounces) of marijuana was decriminalized in the Netherlands in 1976, and residents may grow as many as five plants for personal use. Growing large amounts, and selling the drug, are illegal"Citizens must be alerted to the dangers they face as a result of these plantations, and if they become aware of any suspect situations they must report them," France 24 reported that Arnie Loos, spokesman for a government-appointed working group on cannabis cultivation, told journalists in Rotterdam.The green cards being distributed to people in The Hague and Rotterdam are about 20 by 10 centimetres (eight by four inches) and release a cannabis odour when scratched. They also include a police telephone number.Loos said that if the project is successful it could become a national operation.Authorities estimate there are some 40,000 illegal cannabis plantations hidden inside buildings in the Netherlands. About 6,000 are discovered every year.Richard Anderiesse, a spokesman for Rotterdam’s cannabis task force, said that about 300 grow-ops, containing 600 to 1,000 plants, are found in that city.Stedin gas and electric company spokeswoman Renee de Bruin warned that the plantations pose a high risk of fire, as tapping the water and power can result in short circuits. More about Marijuana, Cannabis, Weed, Pot, Sniff More news from marijuana cannabis weed pot sniff cards dutch netherlands