High-potency cannabis reclassified as hard drug

News item | 12-10-2011

The government made the announcement in its response to a new report on drug classification by the Garretsen Committee. The system of two classification Schedules under the Opium Act (I for hard drugs and II for soft drugs) will remain in place.

The government sees high-potency cannabis as carrying an unacceptably high risk. It is a contributory factor in increasing damage to health, especially when used at a young age. That is why the consumption and production of this type of cannabis needs to be discouraged.

Higher penalties

Coffee shops will soon no longer be allowed to offer cannabis with a THC level above 15%. Higher penalties will be imposed for trafficking, importing and exporting high-potency cannabis.