|
Newsbrief:
Dutch
Medical
Marijuana
Program
Runs
Up
Against
Law
of
the
Market
10/22/04
https://stopthedrugwar.org/chronicle-old/359/netherlands.shtml
The Dutch government's pioneering
medical marijuana program, where government-approved pot is sold by prescription
in pharmacies, is in trouble for the darnedest reason, the Associated Press
reported last week. The government ordered up 450 pounds of prime
medipot but has sold only 175 -- because people can walk into any "coffee
shop" and buy it for less.
In Amsterdam, where marijuana
is technically illegal to sell but where authorities turn a blind eye to
pot-selling "coffee shops," government-approved medical marijuana goes
for $10 to $12 a gram, while "coffee shop" weed goes for as little as $5
a gram, with only the most potent varieties fetching prices near that of
prescription pharmacy pot.
"I think it's a shame that
they can't deliver a cannabis product a little bit cheaper than the coffee
shops," David Watson told the AP. Watson heads Hortapharm, an Amsterdam-based
company licensed to research and develop cannabis for pharmaceutical use.
"Why is it that a legal commodity is more expensive than an illegal commodity?"
American marijuana exile
James Burton is one of the two licensed growers for the Dutch medical marijuana
program. He is not happy and predicts that the program will die soon
under the conservative government, which he said is not supporting it.
"The program's not working," he told the AP. "They have less than
1,000 patients. The whole country is leaning to the right," he said.
"I think a year from now this program's gone."
Ben Kuik, head of the Dutch
medical cannabis office, confirmed to the AP that the program is up for
review next year.
-- END --
|
Issue #359, 10/22/04
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Newsbrief: Kerry Says Feds Should Butt Out of Oregon Laws |
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Newsbrief: African-American Professional Groups Form Coalition to Change Drug Policies |
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Newsbrief: End of Opium Cultivation Spells Looming Disaster for Burmese Peasants |
Newsbrief: Three Dead in Peru Coca Confrontation -- Cocaleros Occupy Buildings in Provincial City |
Newsbrief: Dutch Medical Marijuana Program Runs Up Against Law of the Market |
Newsbrief: Actress's Marijuana Bust Challenge Causing Waves in South Korea |
Newsbrief: Canadian Government to Reintroduce Marijuana Reform Bill, But Adds Driver Drug Testing, Too |
Newsbrief: This Week's Corrupt Cops Stories |
This Week in History |
The DARE Generation Returns to DC: Students for Sensible Drug Policy 2004 National Conference Next Month |
Apply Now to Intern at DRCNet! |
Administrative Assistant: Part-Time Job Opportunity at DRCNet |
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