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Council investigating 'cannabis plants growing' in Kazakhstan capital of Astana Council investigating 'cannabis plants growing' in Kazakhstan capital of Astana
(7 months later)
A council in Kazakhstan has launched an investigation after thousands of marijuana plants appear to have been planted in the capital's flowerbeds.A council in Kazakhstan has launched an investigation after thousands of marijuana plants appear to have been planted in the capital's flowerbeds.
Images from Astana City appear to show lush, green plants resembling marijuana thriving in lengthy plots.Images from Astana City appear to show lush, green plants resembling marijuana thriving in lengthy plots.
The main bulk of the plants are located at the corner of Auezov and Dzhangeldina, but have also been spotted in front of the city’s Tree of Life Sculpture, MailOnline reported.The main bulk of the plants are located at the corner of Auezov and Dzhangeldina, but have also been spotted in front of the city’s Tree of Life Sculpture, MailOnline reported.
Astana's Tree of Life sculpture, near a flowerbed where plants resembling marijuana have been planted (Photo: Getty Images) Local resident Mihail Malorod told Yahoo News he could not believe his eyes when he saw the plants. Local resident Mihail Malorod told Yahoo News he could not believe his eyes when he saw the plants.
“I was walking down the street when I saw these cute plants at the junction of Auezova Street and Dzhangeldina Street. What a nice little flowerbed, I thought!”“I was walking down the street when I saw these cute plants at the junction of Auezova Street and Dzhangeldina Street. What a nice little flowerbed, I thought!”
The city council has launched a probe, and will be questioning officials for Zelenstroy, the gardening service in charge of Astana’s flowerbeds.The city council has launched a probe, and will be questioning officials for Zelenstroy, the gardening service in charge of Astana’s flowerbeds.
A spokesman said: “An investigation has been launched. If they are marijuana plants as is alleged on social media, we will remove them immediately.A spokesman said: “An investigation has been launched. If they are marijuana plants as is alleged on social media, we will remove them immediately.
“So far we have not yet ascertained who planted them there but the investigation and tests are ongoing.”“So far we have not yet ascertained who planted them there but the investigation and tests are ongoing.”
Kazahkstan’s climate is perfect for growing cannabis. The government has been attempting to destroy wild crops, particularly in the Chu Valley  - an area the size of France where the plants are most common, according to MailOnline.Kazahkstan’s climate is perfect for growing cannabis. The government has been attempting to destroy wild crops, particularly in the Chu Valley  - an area the size of France where the plants are most common, according to MailOnline.