 | NORML News: INTERNATIONAL NEWS |
 WORLD NEWS EDITOR
HARRY CORDING, NORML News Winter 2004
LEGAL IN RUSSIA!
russiaN POT REVOLUTIONIn a dramatic reform, the Russian Parliament has removed criminal penalties and the possibility of jail time for simple drug possession.
Previously, possession of even a single joint could garner a three-year prison sentence. Under the new law people possessing up to 10 times the average single dose will no longer be charged with a crime, but an "administrative infraction" and fined. Possession of between 10 and 50 times the average single dose is punishable by a larger fine and community service, but again, no prison time. Small-scale dealers will find themselves protected against drug trafficking charges by this second provision - unless they get caught in the act of selling. Punishment for drug sales is increased under the new law.
aussie greens call for uniform cannabis lawsThe Australian Greens have called for national uniform cannabis laws. In May, Queensland Senate candidate Drew Hutton used the pro-cannabis Mardi Grass festival in Nimbin in northern New South Wales to launch the party's campaign. He stated it was time to declare the Prime Minister's zero-tolerance to drugs approach a failure; and said every state should adopt laws which allow individuals to buy, possess and grow small quantities of marijuana.
sri lanka to legalise pot for ayurvedic useCannabis is a key ingredient in traditional Ayurvedic medicine and Sri Lanka plans to begin government cultivation of the plant.
Official plans call for Ayurvedic practitioners to be allowed to grow at least five plants each, and the government has designated land for a pilot project.
Despite an official ban on cannabis in Sri Lanka, it is easily available. Cannabis - locally known as kansa - has long been known to Ayurvedic practitioners to contain medicinal and pain-relieving properties and is commonly used to treat asthma, phlegmatic conditions, neuralgia, muscular and joint pains, flatulence, dyspepsia and sub-terminal illnesses.
A spokesman for the newly established Ministry of Indigenous Medicine said "Ourfirst step is to formulate a national policy document for the indigenous medicine sector which will become part of the National Health Policy. We are estimated to have16,000 Ayurvedic practitioners in the country and it is important that herbalmedicines acquire some standardisation."
"Cannabis is an essential ingredient in Ayurvedic treatment", explains Vidya Nidhi Dr. K. Sayakkara, Secretary of the All Ceylon Ayurvedic Practitioners' Congress. "If it is not fresh, the medicinal value is reduced."
CANADian PHARMACISTS To DISPENSE medical MARIJUANABritish Columbian pharmacies will soon dispense medicinal marijuana under a Health Canada pilot project. The project, modelled on the one introduced in the Netherlands a year ago, would allow government-grown marijuana to be sold in pharmacies.
This will be somewhere between a standard prescription product and, say, the over-the-countermorning after pill. What Health Canada is envisioning is not that a doctor will write a prescription per se, but that a medical declaration will be signed by a treating physician. The patient still has to get authorization from Health Canada to possess marijuana for medical purposes and the declaration has to be signed by the treating physician," said an official.
The project is expected to begin within the year.
|
|
|
|
| |
| Login |
|
You can register for some special extra features. | |
|
