Prof. Youbin Zheng with U of G’s School of Environmental Sciences spoke to The Canadian Press about the annual problem of cannabis plant theft.

Zheng explained that each cannabis plant can be worth $3,000 to $5,000, depending on its cultivar and how many buds it’s produced.

He said home cannabis gardeners are often targeted by thieves in densely packed residential areas where neighbours can easily spot the plants growing.

Zheng studies greenhouse production, hydroponics, and controlled environment plant production. He has co-authored several papers examining optimal indoor horticultural practices to produce high-yielding cannabis.