Pubdate: Sun, 21 Jan 2001
Source: Chicago Tribune (IL)
Copyright: 2001 Chicago Tribune Company
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MARIJUANA POSSESSION TO BE LEGALIZED

Brussels, Belgium - The Belgian government has agreed to decriminalize the 
use of marijuana, following its neighbor, the Netherlands, in granting 
legal tolerance to use of the drug.

The Belgian legislation, expected to be approved by the parliament early 
this year, will legalize possession of small amounts of cannabis for 
personal consumption.

It will not allow sale of the drug, unlike in the Netherlands, where 
"coffee shops" selling marijuana cigarettes are a common sight in many cities.

"We are establishing the basis for tolerance in the law, but our country 
will remain within the lines of international law," the government said in 
a statement Friday.

The legislation, which modifies a 1921 law outlawing the drug, will still 
prohibit use of marijuana judged to be "problematic" to the user or a 
nuisance to others. The law also allows the cultivation of marijuana plants 
for personal use.

The decision by the governing coalition of socialists, liberals and greens 
was criticized by the conservative opposition. 
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