Dutch government to back cheap medicinal marijuana

Patients seeking pain relief may soon be heading for the Dutch city of Groningen to buy affordable and potent medical marijuana in the country’s first pharmacy specializing in the pungent plant.

Although cannabis is readily available in the country’s famous coffee shops, the foundation for Medicinal Cannabis Netherlands wants to launch a pharmacy in the northern Dutch city so patients can buy high-grade cannabis at affordable prices, evening daily NRC Handelsblad reported on Wednesday.

Groningen city council member Fleur Woudstra, who supports the cannabis pharmacy, told the paper that while pot may be cheaper in coffee shops—usually around 10 euros ($12) for the equivalent of 3 or 4 joints—quality often suffers.

The price of Groningen’s medicinal weed will be around 5 euros per gram, which is cheaper than highly potent medicinal cannabis bought at other regular pharmacies, the paper said.

The Office of Medicinal Cannabis—a Dutch government agency—and the community of Groningen as well as the local police all support the endeavor.

Two more cannabis pharmacies are planned in the towns of Hoogezand and Assen.

On Thursday the lower house of parliament is due to debate the distribution of medicinal cannabis.

Dutch minister of health Hans Hoogervorst wants it to be possible for pharmacists to sell medical weed up until 2007.

Print Version
Tell-a-Friend comments powered by Disqus

RELATED ARTICLES:

Quitting smoking has favorable metabolic effects   Opioid prescription is on the increase   Could smoking pot raise testicular cancer risk?   Popular kids in US and Mexico more likely to smoke, USC studies show   Continued Smoking Can Spread Cancer   Majority of fourth graders are exposed to smoke, study finds   Republican Cain says ad not promoting smoking   Fatal Crashes in the U.S.: Fewer Canadian Drivers Under The Influence   Smoke from Southeast wildfires is health hazard   Varenicline for smoking cessation linked to increased risk of serious harmful cardiac events   Smoking in combination with immunosuppression poses greater risk for transplant-related carcinoma   Study shows secondhand smoke a serious health threat to casino workers, patrons