The Hazy Future of Dutch Pot

choi

Ruben Munsterman, The Hazy Future of Dutch Pot.
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/a ... -falling-behind-u-s

the first 1 1/3 paragraphs:

"Since the Netherlands decriminalized marijuana in 1976, Amsterdam's 'coffee shops'—which are much more about joints than java—have become a destination for weed lovers from around the globe. But pot has never been fully legalized in the country: You won't get busted for smoking or selling small quantities, but producing or selling it in bulk remains a legal gray zone. And that's proving to be a handicap for the Dutch marijuana industry as full legalization speeds ahead elsewhere.

"Dutch seeds are considered the gold standard worldwide, and people with ties to the Netherlands are a big part of the global [seed] business. But many of the country's growers say the future lies across the Atlantic, where Canada and 11 US states now allow recreational pot use [including Massachusetts whose highest court legalized recreational use with 1 oz], and many more states permit medicinal consumption.

My comment:
(a)
(i) summary underneath the title in print: Despite a thriving marijuana culture, the Netherlands risks falling behind the US [Yes, the verb takes a singular form after the subject "The Netherlands" -- a nation -- much like the United States.]
(ii) Print and the online version are identical.
(b)
(i) There is no need to read the rest.
(ii) online title: Birthplace of Semi-Legal Pot Risks Falling Behind US.