THE NETHERLANDS: MEDICAL MARIJUANA ON SALE

Dutch pharmacies began sales of marijuana to help patients suffering
from nausea or pain associated with cancer, AIDS or multiple
sclerosis. About 7,000 patients will be eligible for prescription
marijuana, sold in containers of about one-fifth of an ounce at $48
for a dose with a tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) content of 15 percent,
and $60 for an 18 percent version. Canada, Germany and Australia allow
restricted use of medicinal marijuana, but the Dutch will also provide
the drug and regulate its quality. In the United States, 14 states
allow medicinal use despite a federal ban on the drug.