title: Small-scale cannabis growers in Denmark and Finland.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare domestic cannabis cultivation in Denmark and Finland to describe national characteristics in small-scale cannabis growing.
  
  
  METHODS
  A Web survey conducted among small-scale cannabis growers in Denmark (June to November 2008) and Finland (May to June 2009).
  
  
  METHODS
  Current cannabis growers (Denmark, 401; Finland, 1,054).
  
  
  METHODS
  Comparisons in regard to social background, growing history, practices, purposes and motives of growing, and perceptions of risks.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Cannabis was cultivated primarily for own use, but sharing with friends and avoiding criminal circles also were significant motives for growing. Finnish growers prioritized indoor cultivation, whereas the Danes were more in favor of open-air plantations. Risks of getting caught by the police were observed to be greater in Finland. Growing for medical purposes was twice as prevalent in Finland as in Denmark.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Cannabis growing is a stronger and more novel phenomenon in Finland than in Denmark, but both countries have been influenced by international trends. Finnish and Danish small-scale cannabis cultivators can be considered to be ideologically oriented lifestyle growers. Differences in the magnitude of the phenomenon may reflect differences in the availability and quality of cannabis in national drug markets. The Internet had promoted the spreading of the trend.
authors.affiliation: Department of Alcohol, Drugs and Addiction, National Institute for Health and Welfare (THL), Helsinki, Finland. pekka.hakkarainen@thl.fi
authors.forename: Pekka
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Hakkarainen
authors.forename: Vibeke Asmussen
authors.initials: VA
authors.lastname: Frank
authors.forename: Jussi
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Perälä
authors.forename: Helle Vibeke
authors.initials: HV
authors.lastname: Dahl
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002188:Cannabis / Q000254:growth & development*; D003625:Data Collection / Q000379:methods; D003718:Denmark / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D005387:Finland / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D008297:Male; D008385:Marijuana Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D008875:Middle Aged; D055815:Young Adult