POLICE are investigating a Scottish-based YouTube channel dedicated to the cultivation and use of cannabis.
More than 60 videos have been posted to the “Duhn Fuhr” channel giving detailed advice on how to grow the biggest-possible plants and use the drug.
Many of the videos are presented by a man who does nothing to hide his face and even taunts officers on one occasion by wearing a comedy police helmet.
Despite posting cannabis guides since April 2013, Police Scotland was apparently unaware of the brazen channel which YouTube says does not break any of its rules.
Police Scotland has now confirmed that it is investigating the site to see if there is any evidence of criminality.
The Scottish Tories urged the police and YouTube to crackdown on the channel, saying it was time to challenge the “ridiculous” concept that cannabis is harmless.
The channel, which states that it is based in “central Scotland”, kicked off 2015 with a guide to growing cannabis at home.
The video shows an indoor “garden” – a small insulated tent inside a room – with a number of cannabis plants growing from pots.
One plant is so heavy with cannabis buds that it has to be held up with strings.
In another video, the unnamed presenter makes no effort to disguise his identity as he gives advanced instructions on using a bong.
Wearing a fancy dress police helmet, he insists the green plant matter being smoked is “asparagus”.
The Youtube channel states: “Every substance used in this channel is asparagus – no matter what we say.”
In another video, the same man – wearing sunglasses – demonstrates smoking paraphernalia such as bongs and pipes and smokes them on camera.
In a number of videos he is joined by others who disguise their identity with sunglasses or full face masks – including a fighter pilot’s helmet with an oxygen mask and a welder’s mask.
Scottish Conservative chief whip John Lamont said: “When police say they are monitoring social media, this is the kind of thing the public want them to target.
“We have to stop this ridiculous concept spreading that cannabis is harmless – it’s responsible for more than a tenth of drug-related hospital admissions.
“Anyone can access YouTube, regardless of age, and it’s therefore very worrying that these kinds of videos could be so easily watched by young people.
“Both the police and the platform – in this case YouTube – have a responsibility to deal with this kind of thing strongly.”
A YouTube spokeswoman said: “YouTube staff review flagged videos 24 hours a day, seven days a week to determine whether they violate our Community Guidelines. When they do, we remove them. Sometimes a video doesn’t violate our Community Guidelines, but may not be appropriate for everyone. These videos may be age-restricted.”
A Police Scotland spokeswoman said: “Police Scotland has been made aware of this YouTube channel, and the material will be reviewed to establish whether any criminality has taken place.”
