<BODY background="hamppu/hempbg.jpg">
<base target=_top>
<center><H1> The Finnish Cannabis Association - FCA </H1>
<img src="../kuvat/tskypieni4.gif" height=249 width=249 alt="Finnish
Cannabis Association"> </center>
<hr>
<h6><A HREF="../changes.shtml"> Recent changes on this page </A></h6>
<P><b> The FCA started operating in 1990 and was officially established in
1991. Its <A
HREF="muut/saannot.html#tarkoitus">
purpose </A> is to influence the Finnish legislation so that adults could
legally use, obtain and cultivate cannabis for personal use. The FCA also
studies the use of cannabis in different cultures during different times.
</P>
<P>
Despite its young age, the association has quickly managed to get a
foothold in the Finnish discussion about recreational drugs, which has
formerly been dominated by policemen and parental pro-criminalization
organizations. The opinions of the FCA are nowadays more and more commonly
requested and members of the association are invited to all kinds of
events. Besides taking part in the discussion, the FCA engages in many
other activities. It publishes a magazine called
<A HREF="hamppu.html"> Hamppu</A>
(the Finnish word meaning hemp), arranges parties, excursions and social evenings for
its members, takes positions in drug policy-related matters, arranges panel
discussions and other kinds of events.
It also carries out research and
<A HREF="../julkaisut.html"> publishing </A>
activities in cannabis-related matters. In addition to that, the
meetings of the association have become an unofficial discussion forum
for people interested in hemp cultivation.
</P>
<P>
However, all instances have not approved of the FCA. Among
others, the Finnish Ministry of Justice and some members of Parliament
have opened the operation of the association to question. In 1991 the
members of Parliament who represent SMP(a Finnish populist party)
attacked the association by making an inquiry about the legality of
the operation of the association to the Ministry of Justice. The Ministry of
the Interior, which carried out the inspection, stated that "the
association has not operated fundamentally against the law or good
customs". In 1993, the association register office maintained by the Ministry
of Justice rejected the registration application submitted by FCA in
1991. The ministry interpreted the purpose of the FCA as "being
against good customs so that the expressed purpose is contrary to the
views about justice and morality prevailing in our society".
The association appealed to the Supreme Administrative Court. The
Court ratified the rejecting decision of the association register
office with slightly different arguments.
In its decision the Supreme Administrative Court admitted that the aim
to change the existing legislation and the views prevailing in the
society is not against good customs per se, but added that the purpose
includes an intention to assist in spreading an unhealthy habit.
</P>
<P>
However, the FCA continues operating, for the time being as an
unregistered association, and has appealed to the European human rights
organs about the decision of the Finnish Ministry of Justice.
</b></P>
</BODY> </HTML>