Dutch mull magic mushroom ban

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    AMSTERDAM - The Netherlands may ban hallucinogenic "magic" mushrooms after a teenage tourist died jumping from a bridge after taking the drug.

    Dutch Health Minister Ab Klink today ordered a special study into the mushrooms and their effects, after a majority of parliamentarians said they were in favour
    of a ban, the Dutch news agency ANP reported.

    While dried magic mushrooms are illegal in the Netherlands, fresh mushrooms can be bought freely. The country has a reputation for tolerating soft drug use and government-regulated coffee shops legally sell small amounts of cannabis.

    - REUTERS