cannabisnews.com: Dutch Government to Weigh Cannabis Clamp Down





Dutch Government to Weigh Cannabis Clamp Down
Posted by CN Staff on April 06, 2004 at 08:25:02 PT
By Reuters
Source: Reuters
Amsterdam -- Tourists who flock to Amsterdam to smoke cannabis in its "coffee shops" without fear of prosecution may find their choice curtailed as part of a proposed review of liberal Dutch drug laws. The Dutch government is considering a ban on the sale of highly potent strains of cannabis under the proposed review, cabinet sources said on Tuesday.
The center-right government in the Netherlands, where cannabis smokers can openly buy and smoke the drug in hundreds of government-regulated "coffee shops," is to discuss the proposed review in cabinet on Thursday. The government wants to determine if hashish and marijuana with a very high content of Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), an active compound in cannabis, should be reclassified as "hard" rather than "soft" drugs, cabinet sources said. The Netherlands, where customers can order a vast array of cannabis from coffee shop menus, has reportedly seen a steep rise in THC levels in Dutch-grown cannabis due to refined growing methods. The government declined comment on reports it would consider banning the sale of Dutch grown "Nederwiet" with a high THC content under proposals in a so-called "Cannabis Letter" to parliament. Some doctors say cannabis use increases the risk of depression and schizophrenia but its use has been widely tolerated by the Dutch for decades. Coffee shops are prohibited from selling "hard drugs" and are carefully monitored. The Netherlands, the first country to legalise euthanasia, last year also became the first to make cannabis available as a prescription drug in pharmacies for chronically ill patients. Source: Reuters Published: April 6, 2004Copyright: 2004 Reuters Related Articles:Dutch State Pot Is No Heady Stuff for Supplierhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread17248.shtmlNetherlands Launches Pharmacy Sales of Cannabishttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread17204.shtml
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Comment #1 posted by FoM on April 06, 2004 at 09:37:18 PT
News Brief from News Channel 5
Priest Says He Looks Forward To Legalization Of MarijuanaApril 6, 2004A priest told a Summit County courtroom that he believes in the medical benefits of using marijuana during his sentencing Tuesday, reported NewsChannel5. The Rev. Richard Arko pleaded guilty to growing marijuana in the rectory of Prince of Peace Catholic Church in Barberton, where he was pastor. A judge sentenced him to a two-year prison sentence, which was suspended. He was also sentenced to two years community control, 100 hours of community service, and will be subjected to random drug testing. Arko said before the court that he looked forward to the day when his actions would not be punishable and to the legalization of marijuana. Arko also apologized to his family and to members of the parish. Police found 35 marijuana plants and various drug paraphernalia when they searched Arko's room in January. Also charged in the bust was Jenson Powell, 24, who was living in the rectory at the time. He is charged with trafficking in marijuana. http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ibsys/20040406/lo_wews/2083236
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