Strong cannabis counted as hard drug
A large part of Dutch cannabis – with more than 15 percent of the active ingredient THC – will become illegal in the Netherlands in the near future, Dutch daily newspaper reports today. On Friday the cabinet will discuss changing the opium act to classify strong marijuana as a hard drug.
High doses of THC are dangerous, concluded the commission Garretsen that conducted a research for the Dutch government. According to the commission it can lead to addiction and even cause psychosis. Strong cannabis should therefore be classified as a hard drug. Health Minister Schippers has now accepted this recommendation.
The hash and weed that are sold in the Netherlands on average contain 18% THC. Under the new drug policy, cannabis containing high THC levels will have the same status as heroin or cocaine. When it comes in effect, so-called coffeeshops will no longer be allowed to sell the most potent cannabis.
The research report Drugs in Lijsten of the commission Garretsen can be found on the website of the Dutch governent. [in Dutch]
