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. - --- MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman