Local councils call for regulated marijuana growing to keep out criminal gangs

Officials say they are very concerned about attempts by organised crime to influence local government
Dutch News (Netherlands)
Monday, November 30, 2015

The Dutch local authorities' platform VNG called on the government to allow regulated cannabis production by introducing licences for growers to take cannabis out of the hands of organised crime and smugglers. The VNG's new report favours licensing small-scale and localised production. Sales points should be more focused on health issues than the "big, commercial operations that many coffee shops have now become". (See also: Dutch cities: Legalize pot plantations to reduce crime | Right-wing, Christian and populists oppose marijuana regulation)