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POSSIBLE LEGALIZATION IN DENMARK Denmark, just like the Netherlands, has a centre-right government that is supported by the extreme-right Danish People’s Party. In spite of this, local politicians foresee possibilities regarding the introduction of a new model of marijuana legalization. Copenhagen’s city council voted by a large majority for the new bill allowing the
2012, residents of these regions can grow up to four cannabis plants each. In theory, this means that, for example, a family with four children could grow twenty-four plants. Of course, all this will happen under strict and rigorous control on behalf of the Swiss government, though the government takes care to emphasize that whoever decides to grow cannabis takes full responsibility for doing so. Nothing is known yet as to whether this amendment will be valid only for house plants or outdoor cultivations as well. The amendment is being introduced to avoid so-called “drug tourism” between the different cantons.
Issue 1 - 2012
NEW YORK: 50,000 SENTENCES FOR CANNABIS USE When you think of marijuana, you think of the United States. Especially under pressure are those states where medical use of marijuana hasn’t become a reality yet. In 2010, 500,000 drug-related arrests were
In this issue:
An Italian cannabis connaiseur ›› 30 THE RISE OF THE BUBBLER! Deep Water Culture (DWC) has seen a real surge in popularity in certain areas of the UK with word of mouth spreading amongst growers, more and more cannabis cultivators are moving from pots and soil onto the bubbler system. Lots of hydro retailers are putting together systems that are simple to use, cheap to set up and operate and produce BIG results. ››
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sale of cannabis in sales points managed by the State. Mayor Mikkel Warming envisions about 30-40 sales points; however, the key is for dealers and shopkeepers to look out for their customers’ interests rather than their own financial accounts. Warming does not really agree with the model proposed by the Netherlands which is only apparently liberal, while in truth it protects the interests of retailers and the State itself. Warming asserts: “We are looking for a way to make growing and importing marijuana legal”. In any case, the bill has been submitted to the Danish Parliament and will be discussed at the beginning of next year. However, we are not optimistic, not least because a previous bill proposed by Copenhagen in 2008 was cancelled.
SWITZERLAND LEGALIZES – WITH CAUTION Swiss inhabitants of the French-speaking cantons, including Vaud, Neuchatel, Geneva and Fribourg, are witnessing golden times as far as cannabis legalization goes. Sure enough, from 1st January
AUSTRIANS ARE USING MORE AND MORE CANNABIS.
In Austria, joints are gaining more and more acceptance amongst high society. According to the latest estimate carried out in Austria by the Department of Health, one Austrian out of five between 15 and 59 years old uses hashish. Amongst young people (15-24 years old), the percentage is 30%-40%. This is a substantial increase compared to the 2010 estimates, when barely 26% of young people had tried hashish. The reasons behind this noticeable increase lie in the disappearance of the taboo surrounding the use of cannabis. The increase also concerns the number of nurseries where cannabis is cultivated.
made in New York City alone. In most cases, these arrests were made by undercover police officers. Out of half a million arrests made, around 50,000 ended in imprisonment. Most of these 50,000 arrests concerned African-Americans or South Americans. NYPD claims that this series of arrests has helped significantly reduce the violent crime wave in the city.
CANADIAN DOCTORS REFUSE TO GIVE PRESCRIPTIONS FOR MARIJUANA AS A FORM OF MEDICINE Although medical marijuana has been a reality in Canada for over ten years, it’s becoming more and more difficult for Canadian patients to obtain this form of medicine. Most doctors refuse to sign the papers needed by patients to purchase cannabis. However, the situation has improved considerably for patients Continues on page 3