Maria Zakharova, the spokeswoman for the Russian Foreign Ministry, criticized on Monday the Netherlands' intention to decriminalize the production and distribution of non-medical cannabis as Amsterdam's aspiration to replenish the country's budget at the expense of people's health and security
MOSCOW (Pakistan Point News / Sputnik - 07th March, 2019) Maria Zakharova, the spokeswoman for the Russian Foreign Ministry, criticized on Monday the Netherlands' intention to decriminalize the production and distribution of non-medical cannabis as Amsterdam's aspiration to replenish the country's budget at the expense of people's health and security.The Dutch parliament is already debating on the approval of the initiative to legalize non-medical marijuana for four years on a trial basis.
"We believe that such actions will lead to a whole series of grave consequences ... We have reasons to believe that these measures are primarily aimed at elevating cannabis production to an industrial level and turning the drug industry into an important source of government income," Zakharova told a briefing.
According to the spokeswoman, after the decriminalization of non-medical cannabis, the Dutch authorities risk losing control over the distribution of drugs in the country. The move will also demonstrate the weakening of international anti-drug legislation and pose a serious threat to people's health.
"[The policy] also undermines international legal basis for drug control and creates yet another dangerous precedent ... paving the way for other countries to follow suit ... Drug trafficking to neighboring countries, including to those that faithfully observe the provisions of three basic anti-drug conventions, will also increase," Zakharova added.
In this context, the Russian Foreign Ministry called on the Dutch authorities to review their stance on the issue and refrain from proceeding with their "liberal drug experiment."
