DUTCH LAWMAKERS BACK MARIJUANA BILL

THE HAGUE, Netherlands -- A large majority of legislators in the Dutch
parliament's lower chamber said Monday that they will support a
government-backed bill to legalize marijuana prescriptions for severely ill
patients.

The lower house is expected to vote next week on the proposal to let
doctors prescribe marijuana produced by government-regulated growers for
medicinal purposes.

The bill also needs approval by the Senate, expected later this year,
before it can take effect. If it is passed, two growers selected by the
Dutch government will become the first legal marijuana producers in Europe.

Lawmakers from the three government coalition partners and the two largest
opposition parties said Monday that they would approve the bill. The
political makeup of the Senate is similar, so the bill is likely to be
approved.

Health Ministry spokesman Bas Kuik said marijuana for medicinal purposes
will probably be available in drugstores within a year or so.

Although the sale of marijuana is illegal, Dutch authorities tolerate the
sale of small amounts in hundreds of so-called "coffee shops" that operate
openly.

There are also plans to put marijuana on the national health care plan, but
initially the drug will only be free under special health insurance programs.