PZC
Thursday february 4 2010

VVD (dutch conservative liberal party, largest opposition party ): enable legal cannabis production

THE HAGUE - The VVD tends to allow the cannabis production for the dutch market. Under the condition that the maximum punishment for illegal export is changed from 4 to 12 years.

Coffeeshops should become closed clubs where only regular customers (members) can buy their cannabis. "80% of the cannabis is exported", according to VVD MP Fred Teeven. "When you cut off export, we are in for discussing the regulation of the remaining 20% produced for the Dutch market."

Through this change of compass of the liberals a parliamentary majority for the legalization of cannabis production for the dutch market comes in sight. Until today the sale is tolerated but the supply is forbidden. Criminal organizations make an estimated yearly profit of approx. 2 billion euro through the illegal cannabis trade.

The PvdA (social democrats), D66 (progressive liberals, GroenLinks (environment party en de SP (socialists) are all already in favor of regulation of cannabis production, because they think it is the only way to cut of criminal gangs. In the Netherlands small scale cannabis production for the dutch market would be allowed. Many mayors of towns are also in favor of this proposal as they think it is the easiest way to get rid of nuissance caused by illeagal cannabis production and trade.


translated from dutch by mario lap