Pubdate: Sat, 20 Oct 2001
Source: Salt Lake Tribune (UT)
Copyright: 2001 The Salt Lake Tribune
Contact:  http://www.sltrib.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/383
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mmj.htm (Cannabis - Medicinal)

NETHERLANDS CABINET OKS BILL AUTHORIZING PHARMACIES TO SUPPLY MARIJUANA

AMSTERDAM -- The Dutch Cabinet approved a bill Friday that would 
allow pharmacies to fill marijuana prescriptions and for the 
government to pay for them.

Parliament was expected to vote in the next few months on the 
proposal to put medicinal marijuana on the national health care plan. 
If the bill is passed by the 150-seat legislature, pharmacies would 
be supplied with "pharmaceutical quality" marijuana after testing by 
a government agency.

Although the sale of marijuana is technically illegal, Dutch 
authorities tolerate the sale of small amounts in hundreds of 
so-called "coffee shops" that operate openly. A gram of marijuana 
costs about $4.

Under the new law, most users would have the cost of their joints 
paid by the government as long as they have a doctor's prescription.
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