Netherlands to classify high-potency cannabis as hard drug

[Turborama]

Source: The Guardian


Pre-rolled joints at a coffee shop in Amsterdam.

The Dutch government has said it will move to classify high-potency cannabis alongside hard drugs such as cocaine and ecstasy, the latest step in the country's ongoing reversal of its liberal policies.

The decision means most of the cannabis now sold in Dutch coffee shops would have to be replaced by milder variants. But sceptics said the move would be difficult to enforce, and that it could simply lead many users to smoke more of the less potent weed.

Possession of cannabis is technically illegal in the Netherlands, but police do not prosecute people for possession of small amounts, and it is sold openly in designated cafes. Growers are routinely prosecuted if caught.

Maxime Verhagen, the economic affairs minister, said cannabis containing more than 15% of its main active chemical, THC, is so much stronger than what was common a generation ago that it should be considered a different drug entirely.

Read more: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/oct/07/netherlands-potency-cannabis-hard-drug

[ixion]

1. wrong way, morons.

End the drug wars, now.

[MaineDeadHead]

2. Bullhocky!

The potential THC content of cannabis is determined by the plant's genetics. The idea that you can increase potency through selective breeding is similar to saying that you can increase the redness of a tomato through selective breeding. You might make it a bit more red but not enough so anyone would notice. This plant has been cultivated for recreational use for thousands of year across the globe. The idea that western growers in forty years have managed to dramatically increase the potency of the plant in a way that traditional growers have been unable to do in a untold millennia is completely specious.

[RainDog]

9. the cannabis that the Dutch govt. provides is less potent than that in the cafes

the law makes the govt. dispensed cannabis legal while making the more potent cannabis illegal.

it's craziness - but that's the right wing for you, no matter where, in the world, they have power.

[jmowreader]

10. It's not really all that specious

There is a heart drug named Colchicine.

Between 1942 and 1944, a researcher named H. E. Warmke was attempting to create an industrial hemp with "markedly reduced marijuana content" because he knew hemp to be a valuable fiber that was illegal to grow in many places because of said marijuana content. One of his experiments was to induce polyploidy in the plant by treating the seeds with colchicine. Unfortunately, the polyploid pot plants have a markedly increased marijuana content--bad for Warmke, good for everyone growing plants for their marijuana content.

(http://www.cannabase.com/cl/bcga/breeding/colchicine.htm)

[RainDog]

3. basically, this puts the cannabis grown for cafes on the black market or street

where it will earn more money because there is already product out there that cannot be delivered to the cafes.

maybe this is how the right wing in The Netherlands hopes to weather the European financial crisis...

[elehhhhna]

7. exactly.

[bluedigger]

4. What the hell is going on over there? Are they on drugs? n/t

[theaocp]

5. This is depressing. I need a hit.

But sceptics said the move would be difficult to enforce, and that it could simply lead many users to smoke more of the less potent weed.

Fucking duh. That sounds healthier. Earth to the Dutch fuckheads in charge! Come in, Morans! Higher potency means you use LESS of it!

[CanSocDem]

12. "More" is good...

...in a free market economy. And there is no public interest.

.

[blackspade]

6. more drug 'warrior' bullshit.

[bemildred]

8. Fools. nt

[NikRik]

11. From now on I will call it the Neverlands

I always thopught it would be a neat place to go on a vacation to see the cafe's amoung other things.Now I dont feel that it interest me anymore as a place to put on my vacation list . If fact it will be moved to places to avoid !

[red dog 1]

13. Is it time to Occupy Dam Square?