Portugal has authorised the medicinal use of cannabis but the cultivation of any plant that can be used for recreational drug use remains illegal, as has been discovered by a couple in Foz do Besteiro, Marmelete, in the fertile municipality of Monchique.
A neighbour complained at the 1.5 metre high crop of cannabis plants being grown on land near an isolated property and the GNR swooped, arresting the couple who had nurtured 386 plants to maturity.
A small amount of cannabis was found in addition to the plants but as this all seemed to be commercial operation, the couple was arrested and will be charged under the existing drug laws that have not changed.
