April 15, 2009: Ban on hallucinogenic mushrooms upheld in The Netherlands
© DutchAmsterdam.com — A judge in The Hague, Netherlands, today rejected a legal challenge filed by the industry organization of smartshop owners against a national ban on the sale of fresh hallucinogenic “magic” mushrooms.
The ban, which will take effect on December 1, 2008, forbids both the cultivation and sale of fresh hallucinogenic mushrooms. A similar ban was already in effect for dried mushrooms.
VLOS, Holland’s national association of smartshops, had requested an injunction against the pending ban. It argued that that the ban, announced last November 11, would come into effect too quickly — allowing smartshops too little time to reorganize.
In addition VLOS says that health minister Ab Klink has not sufficiently demonstrated that consumption of hallucinogenic mushrooms is a health danger.
The judge has not yet explained his decision.
VLOS official Paul van Oyen says his organization is likely to file an appeal.
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