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posted by Fnord666 on Saturday August 10 2019, @12:15PM   Printer-friendly
from the do-what-thou-wilt dept.

Luxembourg has called on its EU neighbours to relax their drug laws as its health minister confirmed plans to become the first European country to legalise cannabis production and consumption.

“This drug policy we had over the last 50 years did not work,” Etienne Schneider told Politico. “Forbidding everything made it just more interesting to young people … I’m hoping all of us will get a more open-minded attitude toward drugs.”

Residents over the age of 18 are expected to be able to buy the drug for recreational use legally within two years. The state will regulate production and distribution through a cannabis agency.

Draft legislation is expected to be unveiled later this year providing further detail on the types of cannabis that will be on sale and the level of tax that will be imposed.

Schneider said the legislation was likely to include a ban on non-residents buying cannabis in order to dissuade drug-tourism. Home-growing is also likely to be prohibited.

[...] In the Netherlands, possibly the European country most associated with a relaxed attitude toward the use of cannabis, its recreational use, possession and trade is technically illegal. It has a ‘tolerance policy’, or gedoogbeleid, under which recreational use is largely accepted within bounds.

Cannabis remains illegal to possess, grow, distribute, sell or grow in the UK. Those caught with the drug face a maximum of five years in prison, an unlimited fine or both. Several police forces have said they will no longer target recreational users and those with less than an ounce (28 grams) can be given a warning or on-the-spot fine.

Under the Netherlands’ gedoogbeleid, prosecutors turn a blind eye to the breaking of certain laws. Technically the possession, use and trade of the drug is illegal, but the authorities allow licensed coffee shops to sell cannabis from their premises, and to keep 500g on site at any time. The police turn a blind eye to those in possession of 5g or less. Because production remains illegal, however, cafes are often forced to do business with criminal gangs to source the drug.

The UK outlawed cannabis in 1928. Possession comes with a maximum of five years in prison, an unlimited fine or both. Those who are successfully prosecuted for producing and supplying the class-B drug face up to 14 years in prison, an unlimited fine or both. Police can issue an on-the-spot fine or a warning for those caught with less than an ounce if it is deemed for personal use, but several forces have said they will not target recreational users.


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  • (Score: 2) by quietus on Sunday August 11 2019, @01:08PM (6 children)

    by quietus (6328) on Sunday August 11 2019, @01:08PM (#878831) Journal

    It is already legal to produce, possess and use marihuana in Belgium, as long as it is for personal use (you're limited to 3 or 4 plants, I believe). The new thing -- in a European/Low Countries context -- is that government is going to be involved in the production of the stuff. That could be a solution to a problem we're facing with the weed you get from dealers: that stuff is far, far, far more addictive than your own produce, so much so that it's nearly comparable to heroin (in its addictive nature).

    Ofcourse, if you're into the whole 'spiritual experience' thing -- or better said, if that's your excuse -- you're better off buying a guide to the local fungi: there's plenty of Psilocybe out there, for free.

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  • (Score: 2) by dry on Monday August 12 2019, @02:56AM (4 children)

    by dry (223) on Monday August 12 2019, @02:56AM (#879039) Journal

    What are they cutting it with to make it so addictive?

    • (Score: 2) by quietus on Monday August 12 2019, @08:02AM (3 children)

      by quietus (6328) on Monday August 12 2019, @08:02AM (#879116) Journal

      Not cutting -- genetic engineering. The region I live in is known for illegal plantations of the drug, together with XTC and derivatives production. The topic came up during a casual chat with a member of the police force -- I've got no more details, the main topic was the local spread of dope and her frustration with the postponement of a trial against a gang they'd taken out -- or thought they'd taken out -- 2 years ago.

      • (Score: 2) by dry on Monday August 12 2019, @02:48PM (2 children)

        by dry (223) on Monday August 12 2019, @02:48PM (#879210) Journal

        Marijuana isn't physically addicting, it is psychologically addicting like video games or the internet is addicting. Unless they're genetically engineering it to have MMDA in it or such, something I've never heard of.
        The police have usually been exposed to various propaganda about pot, which is likely why she said what she said.

        • (Score: 2) by quietus on Monday August 12 2019, @04:50PM (1 child)

          by quietus (6328) on Monday August 12 2019, @04:50PM (#879283) Journal

          MDMA is a synthetic drug, while heroin originates from plants (which happen to be native in the region -- in Flanders Fields, the poppies grow,...) and can be smoked, so a more likely candidate. As to propaganda -- they also see, and know, a lot more than ordinary citizens.

          • (Score: 2) by dry on Monday August 12 2019, @05:13PM

            by dry (223) on Monday August 12 2019, @05:13PM (#879294) Journal

            Yea, my first thought was poppies, second was nutmeg (MDA). Used to get hash that had opium in it, I'm sure that could have become addicting.
            The problem with cops is they see the negative side too much as it is their job to deal with negative shit and whether they'd differentiate between physically addicting and psychologically addicting is doubtful as they both seem equal in so many ways.

  • (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Monday August 12 2019, @03:01AM

    by Anonymous Coward on Monday August 12 2019, @03:01AM (#879042)

    Ofcourse, if you're into the whole 'spiritual experience' thing -- or better said, if that's your excuse -- you're better off buying a guide to the local fungi: there's plenty of Psilocybe out there, for free.

    Grow 'em. It's cheap and easy.