Pubdate: Sat, 03 Dec 2005
Source: Detroit Free Press (MI)
Copyright: 2005 Detroit Free Press
Contact:  http://www.freep.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/125
Author: Associated Press
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/decrim.htm (Decrim/Legalization)

DUTCH OK MARIJUANA FARMING

AMSTERDAM, Netherlands -- A broad coalition of political parties 
unveiled a pilot program Friday to regulate marijuana farming on the 
model of tobacco. Opponents say that's essentially legalizing growing the drug.

Under the test program, to be conducted in the southern city of 
Maastricht, growers would no longer be the target of police raids or 
prosecution.

Coffee shops permitted to sell marijuana would be required to provide 
consumers with information about the health hazards of smoking -- 
similar to tobacco warnings -- and the chemical content of the 
marijuana. The shops would also have to say where they bought the 
marijuana they sell.

Under current Dutch policy, marijuana and hashish are illegal but 
police don't prosecute for possession of less than one ounce. 
Authorities also look the other way regarding the open sale of pot 
and hash in designated coffee shops.

But commercial growing is outlawed, giving rise to a contradictory 
system in which shop owners have no legal way to purchase their 
best-selling product.
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman