Dutch moving towards legalizing soft drugs

[firefox]

This is the first four paragraphs at http://tinyurl.com/akqc5 It is also up at this comment at CannabisNews.com- http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread21276.shtml#5

Turn a Blind Eye or Make it Legal? The Dutch Soft Drugs Dilemma

By Rutger van Santen, 7 November 2005

The legalisation of soft drugs in the Netherlands is gradually coming closer. A majority in the Dutch parliament first wants to experiment with regulating the cultivation of marijuana, much to the dissatisfaction of Justice Minister Piet Hein Donner, who squarely opposes their legalisation.

The contemporary Dutch policy with regard to soft drugs fits seamlessly into an old Dutch tradition that today is referred to with the Dutch verb ‘gedogen.’ This word, which finds its English equivalent in the expression ‘turning a blind eye’, means that something is tolerated although officially it is prohibited or otherwise considered undesirable. This toleration is usually for the sake of maintaining the peace.

Rules, regulations, tolerance

Historians trace the Dutch ‘gedoog’ culture of turning a blind eye back to the eve of the 17th century, the Golden Age when the Netherlands was a safe haven for all kinds of religious communities and sects that together constituted the most important seafaring trade nation in the world. The country, of course, had rules and regulations but the time and energy it would have cost to maintain them were rather spent on making money and in other ways to advance the individual and the nation. Thus a ‘live and let live’ mentality developed as regards not being too strict about the law. Catholicism was prohibited, but as long as Catholics built their churches in inconspicuous places they were left in peace. Alcohol was also forbidden, but it tasted good and also brought in considerable tax revenues. So people drunk as ever before and after.

Buying and selling

The present situation with regard to soft drugs is similar. According to Dutch law, it is legal to buy or sell small quantities of hashish or marijuana in the world famous ‘coffee shops’. But, at the same time, it remains officially prohibited for the managers of these coffee shops to purchase their merchandise in large quantities. For years, however, the authorities turned a blind eye and left them to do their business.

[TallahasseeGrannie]

1. Do you know

I am so woefully misinformed I thought all drugs were LEGAL in Holland, including heroin and cocaine.

Guess not, huh?

[napi21]

2. "Live and let live!" What a great phylosophy!!!!

I sure wish we had more of that in the US!

[orpupilofnature57]

3. Common sense for the common good of a people oriented government

[HysteryDiagnosis]

4. Will they be able to do anything about the truly potentially

harmful ones such as nexium???

Nexium: Symptom relief does not rule out serious stomach conditions. The most common side effects of this drug are headache, diarrhea, and abdominal pain.

Body as a Whole: abdomen enlarged, allergic reaction, asthenia, back pain, chest pain, chest pain substernal, facial edema, peripheral edema, hot flushes, fatigue, fever, flu-like disorder, generalized edema, leg edema, malaise, pain, rigors;

Cardiovascular: flushing, hypertension, tachycardia; Endocrine: goiter; Gastrointestinal bowel irregularity, constipation aggravated, dyspepsia, dysphagia, dysplasia GI, epigastric pain, eructation, esophageal disorder, frequent stools, gastroenteritis, GI hemorrhage, GI symptoms not otherwise specified, hiccup, melena, mouth disorder, pharynx disorder, rectal disorder, serum gastrin increased, tongue disorder, tongue edema, ulcerative stomatitis, vomiting; Hearing: earache, tinnitus;

Hematologic: anemia, anemia hypochromic, cervical lymphoadenopathy, epistaxis, leukocytosis, leukopenia, thrombocytopenia; Hepatic: bilirubinemia, hepatic function abnormal, SGOT increased, SGPT increased;

Metabolic/Nutritional: glycosuria, hyperuricemia, hyponatremia, increased alkaline phosphatase, thirst, vitamin B12 deficiency, weight increase, weight decrease;

Musculoskeletal: arthralgia, arthritis aggravated, arthropathy, cramps, fibromyalgia syndrome, hernia, polymyalgia rheumatica;

Nervous System/Psychiatric: anorexia, apathy, appetite increased, confusion, depression aggravated, dizziness, hypertonia, nervousness, hypoesthesia, impotence, insomnia, migraine, migraine aggravated, paresthesia, sleep disorder, somnolence, tremor, vertigo, visual field defect;

Reproductive: dysmenorrhea, menstrual disorder, vaginitis; Respiratory: asthma aggravated, coughing, dyspnea, larynx edema, pharyngitis, rhinitis, sinusitis;

Skin and Appendages: acne, angioedema, dermatitis, pruritus, pruritus ani, rash, rash erythematous, rash maculo-papular, skin inflammation, sweating increased, urticaria; Special Senses: otitis media, parosmia, taste loss, taste perversion;

Urogenital: abnormal urine, albuminuria, cystitis, dysuria, fungal infection, hematuria, micturition frequency, moniliasis, genital moniliasis, polyuria;

Visual: conjunctivitis, vision abnormal. Endoscopic findings that were reported as adverse events include: duodenitis, esophagitis, esophageal stricture, esophageal ulceration, esophageal varices, gastric ulcer, gastritis, hernia, benign polyps or nodules, Barrett’s esophagus, and mucosal discoloration.

[Christa]

5. Don't want to make light of it

but it sounds like some of the side effects of legal, prescribed drugs. :shrug:

[Angry Girl]

6. Exactly. The Purple Pill Pushers....

God forbid anyone should change their eating habits or lifestyle! Noooooooooo! Guzzle that soda with those fries and pop that pill! No more heartburn -- just a nasty little touch of fibromyalgia!

URGENT! Timing is critical to save earthquake victims before winter!

[Christa]

7. Serious issues, Angry Girl

However, I had to smile looking at your avatar :hi:

[Angry Girl]

8. Aw, thanks!

:hi:

URGENT! Timing is critical to save earthquake victims before winter!