Dutch to Legalize Medical Marijuana Cultivation

By Michael Hess
Source: BBSNews

"A change of the Dutch law on controlled substances (Opium Act) will take effect on 17 March 2003. It includes regulations for applications regarding the cultivation of cannabis for medicinal purposes and guidelines for cultivating cannabis." According to a release from the International Association for Cannabis as Medicine (IACM) in Germany.
Applications for an Opium Act exemption regarding cannabis will be handled by the Office of Medicinal Cannabis (BMC) of the Health Ministry.

All cannabis cultivated by applicants has to be sold to the BMC. According to the regulations for opium act licences the task of the BMC is two-fold: "On the one hand, BMC must research or arrange for research regarding whether cannabis or cannabis products may be used as medicines; on the other hand, BMC must provide pharmacies in the course of 2003 with medicinal cannabis, so that patients can obtain this with a doctor's prescription."

The guidelines for cannabis cultivation have been derived from the general rules for Good Agricultural Practice of the Working Group on Herbal Medicinal Products of the European Medicines Evaluation Agency (EMEA). They describe requirements for cultivation, harvesting and primary processing, ensuring that the cannabis is produced under conditions that ensure that the therapeutic properties of the end product are constant and reproducible.

An application form for an Opium Act exemption regarding cannabis may be obtained from the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport, Office of Medicinal Cannabis, The Hague.

Complete Title: Dutch to Legalize Medical Marijuana Cultivation March 2003

International Association for Cannabis as Medicine -- http://www.cannabis-med.org/

Source: BBSNews (NC)
Author: Michael Hess
Published: February 02, 2003
Copyright 1990-2003 Michael Hess
Contact: michael@bbsnews.net
Website: http://www.bbsnews.net/
DL: http://bbsnews.net/bw2003-02-02d.html