Magic mushroom ban looms over Dutch smartshops

0 Comments | AFP, October, 2007

THE HAGUE (AFP) — Dutch so-called smartshops that sell hallucinogenic mushrooms, due to be banned by the Dutch government within months, say the measure is absurd and they will just move on to different drugs.

"It is ridiculous! I don't understand how a Christian government can ban magic mushrooms that were created by God," Dutch Martijn, 21, told AFP in one of Amsterdam's legal cannabis cafes after admitting that he prefers marijuana.

Last week the ministers of Health and Justice jointly announced that the cultivation and sale of magic mushrooms will be banned.

The move came after a majority in parliament pushed for a ban following a rising number of incidents with tourists who took the mushrooms.

In March a 17-year-old French girl died after she...