Amsterdam- The city of Utrecht is sticking to the plan to permit cannabis clubs in the city. That is said in the progress report, which was sent to the city council on Thursday. The College wraps the clubs up as a scientific experiment.

Utrecht wants to make growing marijuana legal by allowing a user group in the city. Its members adopt a few plants in a professionally managed central nursery. 'That way, the quality of the drugs can be controlled better and crime remains sidelined', the College claims.

The Social Cannabis Club is the subject of the first scientific research. The other study examines the relationship between schizophrenia and marijuana.

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The city surveyed 356 regular coffee shop visitors and many of them were not enthusiastic. Especially the required registration is a large part of the resentment of Utrecht cannabis users. Nevertheless, the municipality believes in the plan, because one third may want to become a member of a cannabis club.

Utrecht now talks with interested parties and wants to come with a concrete plan at the end of 2012. The opposition and the national government do not see anything in the plan. Minister Opstelten of Justice said that cannabis clubs are illegal