A few days ago, the Dutch government has announced its decision to extend the cannabis’s availability in pharmacies by five years, so more scientific research will be possible. The sale of cannabis specifically as medicine is legal and managed by the governmet since 2003. The Ministry of Health control the production and the quality through a specifically created agency. Sources inside the ministry say that a Dutch company started working on developing a cannabis-based drug last year. Cannabis has at least 5000 years of use as medicine; it was used in China as herbal medicine. More recently, british queen Victoria used cannabis tincture for menstrual pains. Even the international treaties (Single Convention on Narcotics, New York, 1961 and its modifications) expressly authorize and promote the use of cannabis as medicine (and according to the treaties, this is the only use allowed).

The Court of Cassazione (Italian Supreme Court) has rejected every charge for a 57 years old man, accused of growing cannabis in his home. The decision of the Supreme Court is in accord with the two decisions of the lower tribunals, that have always recognized the man as not guilty. The man was catched growing a few cannabis plant in his bath tube. When the plants were big enough, the man sold them in a pot with even a little light attached. According to the accuse, every formof cannabis growing should be allowed. According to the judges instead, such little growing operations are legal, if the number of plant is little and if the purpose it’s not growing themto get marijuana.