Debt village's cannabis plan

Under certain circumstances, growing cannabis is legal in Spain.

But what about when an entire village goes into the business of producing the plant?

That's what Rasquera in north eastern Spain wants to do.

Home to 900 people, local authorities hope to rent out land for the cultivation of cannabis to pay of the village's debt 1.3 million euros of debt.

Bernat Pellisa is mayor.

(SOUNDBITE) (Catalan) RASQUERA MAYOR BERNAT PELLISA, SAYING:

"The only thing this humble mayor wants and has tried to do is to supervise all this in order to benefit society and the neighbours of our village."

The location of the land is a closely guarded secret.

The mayor hopes the scheme can rid the local area of organised crime and the underground economy normally associated with cannabis growth.

The land would be rented by the Barcelona Personal Use Cannabis Association who will pay Rasquera around 54,000 euros a month for a 15 hectare plot.

(SOUNDBITE) (Catalan) ABCDA CANNABIS ASSOCIATION SPOKESWOMAN MARTA SUAREZ, SAYING:

"The goal is not to maximize our benefits or produce as much as possible, but to produce with quality and in a controlled way to supply users in a controlled way too. All in order to consume in a responsible, appropriate and informed way. That is the point, I think."

Local residents have cautiously backed the plan.

(SOUNDBITE) (Catalan) RASQUERA RESIDENT JOSEP FRANCESC, SAYING:

"It's a possible solution for the government to pay our debt. They are working to check out if it's legal and if they can regularize it. And if it is possible, then perfect."

The Catalan regional government and Attorney General are trying to decide whether the scheme breaks the law.

Although Spanish law allows cannabis to be grown legally for personal use, trafficking the drug can result in a six year jail sentence.

If the plan is approved locals will have an alternative to traditional jobs like working in olive groves and vineyards.

And Rasquera could see its debts go up in smoke.

Andrew Potter, Reuters