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Visitors relaxing in a busy shopping street noticed something unusual growing in decorative planters – huge cannabis-like plants.
Princess Victoria Street in Clifton Village, Bristol, was pedestrianised during the summer as part of a trial scheme to reduce traffic and improve air quality.
It has been a controversial scheme, with many traders claiming that their takings are down since the area has become traffic-free.
But critics have had something else to go potty about following the emergence of several large cannabis-like plants, sprouting from the planters along the street.
Shoppers and visitors sitting outside first noticed the plants last week, proliferating after the recent rain.
Visitors relaxing in Clifton Village noticed cannabis-like plants growing in decorative planters
Soon after Bristol City Council were contacted for comment about the cannabis plants, they were removed from the planters.
One local trader, who didn’t want to be named, told Bristol Live that they ‘were surprised nobody had spotted Princess Victoria Street had become the city’s largest cannabis farm’.
In May, Paula O’Rourke, who was elected along with Katy Grant as councillors of Clifton ward, said she hadn’t seen the plants herself, although admitted she had been isolating due to Covid.
She said: ‘The planters were provided by Blaise Plant Nursery and planted with a nice variety of annuals and perennials, nothing more exotic.
‘I can only assume, if it is indeed cannabis, that a resident or visitor thought it would be amusing to plant a seed.
‘I don’t think they can have expected to harvest it, as it would be identified, as has happened.’
One of the plants was outside Clifton Village Fish Bar, which has introduced outdoor seating in the road since it was pedestrianised.
Owner Marco Maestri said: ‘The plants have been there since the council installed the planters when the councillors decided to close the road in August.
‘People always comment about the plants, which some have said are hemp plants.
‘I wouldn’t know – I don’t smoke and never have. I always prefer a nice glass of red!’
Soon after Bristol Live contacted Bristol City Council for a comment about the cannabis plants, it seems that they were removed from the planters.
‘I noticed the plants this morning, however they have since disappeared,’ said antique dealer Stephen Grey-Harris.
‘I didn’t see who removed them, or exactly when, but they were there between 9am, and 10am, and now they’re gone.’
A Bristol City Council spokesperson said: ‘Several plants were removed from the planters at Princess Victoria Street this morning. These plants were not among those placed in the planters originally.’
Product: Hemp – which is legal to grow in the UK if a licence is obtained – is a plant that comes from the same species as cannabis
It’s not the first time Bristol has made news for cannabis related activity.
On October 4, police raided and destroyed a large cannabis farm in Downend, an affluent residential suburb of Bristol.
A male was found hiding within the loft area and 50 to 70 plants of the Class B substance were seized in the evening raid.
However, that was nothing compared to the 2,000 plants discovered by police in a warehouse on Jubilee Way near Bristol in March. The plants had an estimated street value of £1.5million.
Back in April, more than 700 people were seen at the Bristol city centre park for ‘420’ – a protest against laws criminalising cannabis, and in part a celebration of the Class B drug.
No arrests were made despite hundreds gathering at Castle Park smoking cannabis.
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