Hirsch Ballin wants to ban grow shops

6 March 2008

THE HAGUE – Justice Minister Hirsch Ballin is working on a bill to tackle so-called grow shops. He wants to make it a criminal offence to sell material for growing marijuana at home. Parliament supports his initiative.

The Christian Democrat CDA submitted a motion in November calling for a ban. The party is annoyed that grow shops are able to sell virtually everything necessary for growing marijuana at home, and that shop owners also freely give out detailed information on the matter, often on setting up a trade in marijuana as well.

Parliament will debate the drug policy on Thursday and will also urge for an investigation into the effects of the policy.