Dutch mull magic mushroom ban

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