A mysterious group, which calls itself the Welwyn Garden City Cannabis Club, has claimed responsibility for planting hemp in town centre flowerbeds.

Welwyn Hatfield Times: Cannabis growing openly in Welwyn Garden CityCannabis growing openly in Welwyn Garden City (Image: Archant)

The ‘grass roots’ organisation’s founder, who goes by the name Luna Tokes, contacted the Welwyn Hatfield Times to explain the group’s actions, which were exclusively revealed by this newspaper on Wednesday.

A statement read: “We can confirm that the cannabis plants found in WGC town centre are not a one off, their existence is no accident. “These plants are the work of local activists as part of a movement which believes cannabis should be available for medical and recreational use, that we utilise and legalise hemp and replace our polyplastics industry and fossil fuel dependency.”

The statement went on to claim that hemp is “the plant that could save our economy” and said it “has over 50,000 uses and benefits that most people are unaware of”.

Luna Tokes said: “We are here to raise awareness of the medical benefits of cannabis and the dangers of legal and pharmaceutical drugs.”

Welwyn Hatfield Times: Cannabis growing openly in Welwyn Garden CityCannabis growing openly in Welwyn Garden City (Image: Archant)

One plant was removed by Welwyn Hatfield Council on Tuesday.

A council spokeswoman said the plant was hemp, which is a species of cannabis.

She confirmed it had “been removed to prevent any further confusion”.