A remarkable change is taking place in rural Albania. Farmers who traditionally grew vegetables and fruits, such as onions and potatoes, are switching en masse to cannabis cultivation. This transition has both economic and social consequences for the region.
Driven by economic necessity, farmers are turning to a crop that is profitable but also illegal and risky. The consequences are profound, ranging from increased crime and violence to food security issues and international criminal involvement.
Especially in the north of Albania, where farmers traditionally grew vegetables and fruits, the fields are now full of cannabis plants. This change is driven by the high profitability of cannabis compared to traditional agricultural crops. Cannabis offers a much higher yield per hectare.
The shift to cannabis cultivation has led to various reactions in Albanian society and politics. Some politicians are already saying that farmers would be crazy not to make the switch. This observation reflects the scale of the transformation and the concerns it raises.
The rise of cannabis cultivation has also led to an increase in crime and security problems in the region. Police have discovered and destroyed several large cannabis plantations, including the recent discovery of 20,000 plants on the Kosovo border and the destruction of 320 plants in Vlora.
The fight against illegal cultivation sometimes has tragic consequences. In an incident in the so-called “cannabis kingdom” of Albania, a police officer was killed in a shootout with criminals, underscoring the dangers and violent nature of the country’s illegal cannabis industry.
While cannabis cultivation offers short-term economic benefits to Albanian farmers and the countryside, it also carries significant risks and disadvantages. Reliance on an illegal crop leaves farmers vulnerable to criminal prosecution and violence.
Furthermore, the shift to cannabis cultivation leads to a reduction in the production of traditional crops, which could threaten food security in the region and lead to higher food prices.