Mainichi reports:

A loophole in the drug laws has allowed a growing number of people to buy marijuana seeds on the Internet for cultivation.

Last year, police confirmed 184 incidents of growing marijuana plants, more than four times the figure 10 years ago, according to the National Police Agency (NPA).

The Cannabis Control Law bans people from growing marijuana plants, but has no clause outlawing the possession of seeds.

“It’s possible for anyone to sell and buy marijuana seeds on the Internet without disclosing their identities. We fear that the number of businesses that sell such seeds will increase,” a spokesman for Tokyo Customs said.

Most of the Web sites that sell marijuana seeds correctly declare that possessing seeds is not illegal in itself. However, some warn that customers can possess marijuana seeds only for “ornamental purposes”, and that those who possess seeds should prevent germination. However, many also sell instruction manuals on how to grow marijuana plants.

The import of heat-treated seeds, which cannot be cultivated, is legal under Japanese law. Customs officials are struggling to tell heat-treated seeds from those that are not, and it doesn’t seem to be working so well….