Dutch court acquits sick man with homegrown cannabis

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(Agencies)
Updated: 2008-09-17 09:38

AMSTERDAM -- The Dutch high court on Tuesday acquitted a man charged with illegally growing marijuana who said the drug helped ease pain from his multiple sclerosis.

A picture of two marijuana joints that were made by an unidentified man in a cafe in Rotterdam Jun 20, 2005. [Agencies]

Growing marijuana is illegal in the Netherlands but sales of it and other cannabis-related soft drugs in coffee shops have been tolerated for decades, making them a major tourist attraction.

Pharmacies are allowed to sell limited quantities of cannabis only if the buyer can provide a doctor's prescription.

The man suffered some negative side-effects after taking pharmacy cannabis, and then decided to grow his own marijuana, the Dutch high court said in a statement.

Citing the unusual circumstances, the court said it was acceptable for the man to grow the drug without a licence.