Pubdate: Sat, 03 Dec 2005
Source: Calgary Herald (CN AB)
Copyright: 2005 Calgary Herald
Contact:  http://www.canada.com/calgary/calgaryherald/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/66
Author: Associated Press
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/decrim.htm (Decrim/Legalization)

DUTCH POLITICIANS UNITE ON PLAN TO REGULATE MARIJUANA FARMING

A broad coalition of political parties announced a plan Friday to 
regulate marijuana farming on the model of tobacco, in what may be 
the most significant development in Dutch drug policy in years.

Opponents in the government said the move would be tantamount to 
legalization. But the proponents, representing a large majority in 
parliament, have threatened a showdown if the government tries to 
block the proposal.

Prime Minister Jan-Peter Balkenende and his Christian Democrat party 
oppose allowing cannabis cultivation because it would set the 
Netherlands another step apart from the rest of Europe.

"When making drug policy, you can't just base it on national 
considerations alone, you have to also think international 
relations," Balkenende said.

But legislator Frans Weekers, whose conservative VVD party supports 
the plan, said the current policy is "hypocritical and leading to 
increasing problems."

He added there was no support for criminalizing marijuana among 
either politicians or Dutch society.
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman