Abstract
Hemp has been used as a medicine for several millennia, with claims for many indications, but without sufficient evidence for the claims. Until the end of the 19th century its medical use was accepted, but in the second quarter of this century its medical use has been prohibited in most countries. The Netherlands amended its Opium Act to create the possibility of investigating the medicinal properties of hemp. The Netherlands will also establish a national agency for the horticulture of hemp, with the aim of obtaining access to medical grade hemp. Clinical trials will be stimulated to decide whether the medical use of hemp is feasible. In the long run, hemp could be admitted as a regular medicine.
To prevent leakage to illegal circuits, the national agency will be a monopolist in the hemp trade. With its measures, the Netherlands fully complies with the Single Convention on narcotic drugs, in which the establishment of a national agency is made obligatory for any country that wants to permit the culture of hemp for medicinal purposes.
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