Clandestine cannabis growers in the Netherlands net $2.7 billion US a year -- worth almost half the country's horticultural sector -- according to a Dutch newspaper report on Saturday.

By comparison, NRC Handelsblad reports the horticultural sector generates about $7.4 billion US annually.

"There is major demand from England, Belgium, Germany, France, the Scandinavian countries and, at the moment, the Baltic countries," said Max Daniel, the senior police officer who heads the Dutch agency that combats grow-ops.

Police investigations suggest about 500 tonnes of Dutch cannabis are exported each year.

"We know at least 80 per 0cent of production is for export. In the Netherlands there are 400,000 users of the drug and of hashish. If it was only them, the problem would be entirely manageable," Daniel said.

2004 H.U.M.A.N.: Hemp Users Medical Access Network - Toronto Medical Marijuana