-
Tourist cannabis cafe ban leads to surge in dealing in the south
Dutchnews (Netherlands)
Saturday, May 11, 2013
The decision to ban foreigners not resident in the Netherlands from the country’s cannabis cafes has led to an ‘explosion’ in drugs-related crime in the south of the country, the Algemeen Dagblad reports. The government’s decision to turn the cafes into members’ only clubs in the southern provinces in May 2012 led to a sharp rise in street dealing. The paper bases its claim on police and city council figures. -
Brazil state launches crack rehabilitation program
The Associated Press
Thursday, May 9, 2013
Sao Paulo State expanded its attack on crack cocaine by unveiling a program that will provide about $650 a month in subsidies for the rehabilitation of addicts at private treatment centers. Governor Geraldo Alckmin said 1,350 reals will be earmarked monthly for each crack user who voluntarily enrolls in a rehabilitation program that is expected to get under way in 11 cities. The state will give the money to accredited rehabilitation centers when clients present a "Begin Again" card they receive after enrolling in a program. -
Cracolândia: the crack capital of Brazil where addicts are forced to seek help
Critics say clearup of São Paulo district violates users' rights and is driven by business interests, yet ex-addicts back move
The Guardian (UK)
Thursday, May 9, 2013
With Brazil gripped by a crack epidemic, the authorities have launched a series of controversial initiatives. Since the start of last year, São Paulo has introduced street clearance operations by police, increased funds for rehabilitation centres and, most recently, focused more on judicial intervention and involuntary treatment. Critics argue that the policies are haphazard, shift with the political winds, often violate the rights of the users and may be driven by business demands to clean up a piece of potentially valuable land. -
From Chinese factory to UK households – realities of the trade in legal highs
Attempts to control synthetic drug trade resemble futile efforts made by record labels to control digital piracy decade ago
The Guardian (UK)
Thursday, May 9, 2013
Chemistry firms in many Chinese provinces are churning out modified versions of illegal drugs and selling them online. Everything from amphetamine-like stimulants to ecstasy-like substances as well as thousands of synthetic cannabinoids is available. The drugs – which have no history of human use – skirt the law by subtle molecular manipulation. Safety isn't a priority – profit is. (See also: Legal highs: international drugs gangs 'expanding into growing market') -
Colorado Senate gives final approval to historic marijuana bills
The Denver Post (US)
Wednesday, May 8, 2013
The Colorado Senate gave final approval to two new bills to implement marijuana legalization, inching the state legislature closer to becoming the first in the country to pass laws regulating recreational pot. The two bills — one on rules for marijuana stores and another on taxes — must go back to the House for agreement with changes made in the Senate. (See also: Denver City Council continues to eye how it will regulate Amendment 64) -
Colombia’s capital banks on marijuana cure for hard drug addicts
Addicts will also be receiving counseling, job training, emergency shelter and other services
The Miami Herald (US)
Tuesday, May 7, 2013
Marijuana has long been accused of being a gateway to deadlier vices. But could cannabis be a swinging door that might also lead people away from hard drugs? That’s what this capital city is trying to find out. In coming weeks, Bogotá is embarking on a controversial public health project where it will begin supplying marijuana to 300 addicts of bazuco — a cheap cocaine derivative that generates crack-like highs and is as addictive as heroin. -
Police raid Maastricht coffeeshops after owners let tourists back in
The Amsterdam Herald (Netherlands)
Tuesday, May 7, 2013
Police have raided several coffeeshops in Maastricht after their owners indicated they would revert to selling soft drugs to foreign visitors. Coffeeshops said on Sunday that German and Belgian customers would no longer be turned away, despite warnings from the city’s mayor Onno Hoes of repercussions if they let foreigners in. The police raided the Mississippi, a floating coffee shop, on Monday night. Around 15 non-Dutch residents were inside the boat at the time. Police led away the owner and confiscated the ship’s supplies. (See also: Maastricht coffee shop faces three-month closure) -
Will legalised marijuana lead to an economic boom?
BBC News (UK)
Tuesday, May 7, 2013
Many Washington residents are looking to cash in on the newly legal and potentially lucrative marijuana market, which they hope will give them a new start, create jobs, and boost Washington's slumping economy. A diverse bunch, prospective marijuana entrepreneurs range from cannabis novices to experienced sellers crawling out of the black market. State officials are unsure how much revenue marijuana will bring because the market has never been regulated. But experts predict the industry could fetch up to $2bn over a five-year period. -
Copenhageners cautiously support legal cannabis, but provinces unconvinced
Poll reveals a solid ’maybe’ to the idea of a legal marijuana trial
The Copenhagen Post (Denmark)
Monday, May 6, 2013
Copenhagen's mayor, Frank Jensen, has asked for a three-year trial of legal marijuana in Copenhagen and he has a majority of City Hall on his side. A slim majority of Danes have said that they think that taking the idea of legal cannabis for a test drive in the capital is a good idea, according to a poll conducted by Rambøll for Jyllands-Posten newspaper: 52 percent of those responding said that legal hash was a good idea, while 42 percent rejected the plan. Support depended very much on the age and location of the respondent. Young people were strongly in favour, as were those who live in and around Copenhagen. -
Colorado pot collectives test limits of Amendment 64
The Denver Post (US)
Sunday, May 5, 2013
An untold number of recreational pot collectives have formed in Colorado since Amendment 64's passage in November, hoping to meet consumer demand before retail pot stores' anticipated opening in 2014. It's unclear, however, whether the collectives will withstand legal scrutiny. Some officials warn that the arrangements not only put participants at risk — they also threaten Colorado's careful attempts to craft regulations meant to generate tax revenue and to ward off a federal crackdown on the state's new pot frontier.
Page 364 of 471
