Share

Dutch ban magic mushrooms

The Dutch government wants to ban the sale of hallucinogenic "magic" mushrooms after a growing number of incidents with at least one reported death, the Health Ministry said on Friday. "It is unpredictable what will happen when you take magic mushrooms," a Health Ministry spokeswoman said.

Parliament is expected to pass legislation over the next three months, enforcing the ban on both dried and fresh magic mushrooms, she said.

In March, a teenage tourist died jumping from a bridge after taking magic mushrooms. Another tourist was found running naked through the streets of Amsterdam last weekend and police said he was likely to have taken the drug.

The proposed ban brings the Netherlands in line with the majority of European countries which forbid the sale of the mushrooms.

The Dutch have a reputation for tolerating the use of some soft drugs and tourists flock to government-regulated "coffee shops" that legally sell small amounts of cannabis. – (Reuters Health)

Read more:
Magic mushrooms

October 2007

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE