A proposal to legalize marijuana in The Netherlands was overwhelmingly supported by Dutch Parliament. The proposal has received the support of 77 out of a total of 150 Dutch MPs. This will allow authorities to monitor sales and enforce restrictions on sales to under-18s, as well as other regulations on the production chain.

A proposal to legalize marijuana in The Netherlands was overwhelmingly supported by Dutch Parliament. Proponents of the measure argued that legal regulation will increase protection against fire hazards and quality controls, as well as enable a better overview on production and thus reduce illegal practices. Furthermore it would tax drug dealers out of business.

The proposal has received the support of 77 out of a total of 150 Dutch MPs from four different political parties. The bill still needs to be approved at the Senate before becoming law, but this is only a formality – senators have already said they “see no major problems”. Once it becomes law, adults can grow up to five plants or keep up to 30 grams for personal use without being prosecuted if the bill passes into law.

The newly-approved bill will allow authorities to monitor sales and enforce restrictions on sales to under-18s, as well as other regulations on the production chain, such as a ban on tourists entering coffee shops. The law would also limit the maximum amount of THC allowed in marijuana by inserting a so-called “cafe clause” into the Opium Act. The measure is intended to protect against stronger forms of weed being sold legally – for example, strains containing more than 15% of THC. This provision does not apply to users who grow their own marijuana or possess it for personal use.

This will be a historic moment towards allowing adults to purchase cannabis legally from licensed retailers instead of resorting to criminal enterprises – something that happens every day in many countries. This law will also give scientists reagents to more easily study the cannabis plant, which is necessary for understanding whether marijuana has medical value.

The Netherlands is not the first country to hash legale though, as Colorado and Washington have voted to allow recreational use of marijuana in 2012. Furthermore Uruguay has legalized it’s production, sale and consumption in 2013. Therefore this vote will be part of a larger trend throughout The West towards allowing its citizens freedom over their own bodies and minds – an integral aspect of personal liberty that should not be restricted by government intervention or criminalization under any circumstance.