 | NORML News: International News |
 NORML News Autumn 2003
A round up of other international news stories.
Belgium and Western Australia decriminalise
Belgium has formally decriminalised the use and possession of cannabis.
Following a two-year debate, the Senate voted 30-19 to allow people aged over 18 to use cannabis in private, possess up to 5 grams in public and to grow one plant at home. Police who find such quantities will take no action.
The country’s ruling coalition of Liberals, Socialists and Greens said it had been trying to decriminalise the use of cannabis since 2001.
Meanwhile, Western Australia’s new Cannabis Control Bill will mean people growing two plants or possessing less than 30g for personal use will not be treated as criminals but instead get on-the-spot fines of up to $200.
Medical marijuana in Dutch pharmacies
A groundbreaking new law in the Netherlands effective March 17 allows doctors to prescribe medical marijuana and pharmacies will dispense it to patients as they do other prescription medications.
In order to establish a stable, quality-controlled supply of the medicine, the Dutch government will shortly begin contracting with medical marijuana growers, who will be required to meet specific standards covering product quality and security. Bas Kuik of the Dutch government’s Office of Medicinal Cannabis said that he expects the first licensed crop to reach pharmacies in September. Until then, they will be permitted to obtain the medicine from growers of their own choosing.
This will make the Netherlands the first country to treat marijuana in the same manner it treats other prescription drugs.
More information is at www.mpp.org/Dutch
Cannabis medicine on sale in U.K. this year
The UK drugs minister has announced the first cannabis-based prescription medicines for more than 30 years will be available in chemists later this year,
Bob Ainsworth told MPs “we could be in a situation where we are able to make cannabis-derived medicines available before the end of the year.”
GW Pharmaceuticals, which is licensed to carry out clinical research on cannabis, has been testing an under-the-tongue spray in trials involving about 350 patients. The whole-plant extract has been effective in treating multiple sclerosis and reducing nerve damage pain and sleep disturbance. Additional trials looking at its effectiveness in treating pain in cancer and spinal cord injury are under way. GW announced in March that it would work with French diffuser Valois to bring the spray to the market by the end of this year.
• Once the medicine is approved in the UK, it would be possible under the Medicines Act (s25 and s29) for a New Zealand medical doctor to import it here. Approval is required from the Minister of Health (delegated to the manager of Medsafe), and once this is attained and the medicinal cannabis prescribed, the patient would be legally allowed to use it.
Swiss extend prescription of heroin
Switzerland’s National Council has voted to extend their pioneering program to provide heroin to addicted people.
Research shows the heroin program improves health and reduces crime and death associated with the drug scene. The risk of overdose is lowered, as well as the need for addicts to commit crimes to support their habit. Users are more likely to maintain contact with drug treatment services, and more likely to stabilise their lives and be productive citizens.
The success of the Swiss model has led to pilot heroin maintenance programs in Germany, Spain and the Netherlands, with similar proposals in Britain, Canada and Australia, despite the usual criticism from the United Nations’ International Narcotics Control Board.
Thai drug war maximises harm
Thai Government officials are pleased with the results of an anti-drugs crackdown that resulted in 30,000 arrests and a death toll approaching 2000 people.
“We are quite positive that we can eliminate drugs from Thai soil,” said Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. “The government has set two options for drug dealers, either it is prison or a cemetery.”
The high death toll has prompted allegations from human rights groups that the government encouraged the police to “shoot-to-kill”.
Thai police said that 1,897 people have been killed since the crackdown on drug users was launched on 1 February. Over 900 government officials and 95 military officers have been implicated in drug trafficking.
The Thai Prime Minister vowed to continue and “completely rid” Thailand of drugs by the end of April, when ironically, Thailand will host this year’s International Conference on Reducing Drug Related Harm.
Cannabis dealers go on strike
Cannabis dealers in Denmark’s hippy colony, Christiana, have gone on strike to show the stupidity of prohibition and the advantages of a legal, regulated market.
“We want to show the government that an open market for soft drugs is better then forcing people on to streets where much harder stuff is sold illegally,” said Pernilla Hansen of the Christiania information office.
Christiania is Copenhagen’s second most popular Tourist attraction and features an open-air cannabis marketplace. The 30-hectare former military compound was occupied by hippy squatters in 1971 and declared an autonomous “free city”.
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