Dutch marijuana export at $2.4 b yearly

ISO2BWELL

Seems to me the BEST way they could stop 99% of these issues is to make Cannbis legal worldwide. It SHOULD be free to all mankind.

JMHO

ISO

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Dutch marijuana export at $2.4 b yearly

Sun, 26 Oct 2008 17:39:10 GMT

Dutch marijuana planters are earning about $2.7 billion a year from exporting their crops, mostly to their European neighboring states.
More than 500 metric tons of marijuana grown in the Netherlands, or 80 percent of the total crop, is destined for export, Dutch police commissioner Max Daniel told NRC Handelsblad newspaper.

He noted that the numbers are based on police figures. “In the Netherlands, we have 400,000 Marijuana users. If that was it, we would have a much more manageable problem."

Daniel also warned that the black market trade is consequently engendering violence.

Under Dutch law, marijuana possession and production are criminal offenses, but in practice, police tolerate the sale of marijuana in coffee shops, the possession of small amounts of it, and the growing of up to four plants. Larger amounts, including those supplied to coffee shops, are illegal.

However, because marijuana production remains prohibited, Holland, like other countries, faces the problems associated with the black market, including prohibition-related crimes and violence.

"Today, cannabis (marijuana) is involved in nearly all major cases involving murder, weapons, and drugs," Daniel put it starkly.

Also, marijuana trade is seeping into the legitimate economy. Banks finance marijuana planters, companies fund university research in agricultural methods, and the Dutch exchequer benefits from the coffee house sales.

"In the production of cannabis, the criminal and non-criminal worlds have become increasingly intertwined. Many people have become rich by growing cannabis. You can become a millionaire within 10 years. Many of the proceeds are invested legally in real estate. But I don't believe that someone who has had people killed 14 or 15 years ago can turn into a good citizen." Daniel commented.

MP/SME/DT

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OG KUSHMAN

Wow! 2.4 bill is a lot of cash. About 100,000 would make me very happy and no drama to boot!