In a letter leaked to Dutch media, three key Dutch ministers wrote that the government wants to maintain the country’s famous cannabis coffee shop system, but that they should be “members only” so they will no longer attract foreign “drug tourists.” The ministers of justice, home affairs, and health wrote that reducing drug tourism and reducing the number of coffee shops would help reduce crime and public nuisances associated with them.
Border town coffee shops in particular have been inundated with pot smokers from neighboring countries with more repressive policies, hordes of which have led to complaints of everything from traffic congestion to public urination to other drug dealing. The other criminality associated with the coffee shops comes from Holland’s half-baked policy of tolerance of retail cannabis sales and possession while continuing to prohibit the licit growing of cannabis to supply those shops.
While the government was expected to issue a position paper on changing the coffee shop policy later this fall, Tuesday’s leaked letter provides a clear indication of where the government is heading: toward “members only” coffee shops. While discriminating by nationality within the European Union would violate EU law, it appears the Dutch government will try to bar foreigners by requiring a Dutch bank card to purchase cannabis.
According to the letter, the ministers are also open to experimenting with allowing coffee shops to stock larger quantities of the herb. Currently, shops can keep only 500 grams on hand, resulting in a network of drug runners scurrying about Dutch cities and towns with fresh cannabis supplies.
The three party coalitions that make up the conservative national government have basic disagreements about coffee shop policy, with the Christian Democrats and allied parties wanting to dismantle the shops, but with the Labor Party in favor of keeping them. A more restrictive coffee shop policy in the near future is the most likely result.
Looking for the easiest way to join the anti-drug war movement? You've found it!
Wow! Can you imagine the
Wow! Can you imagine the vineyards of Napa Valley turning away international visitors that wish to taste and purchase their wines?? Wouldn't want these people heading up the Chamber of Commerce in my area...
Makes no sense... monster resuscitated!
Does absolutely nothing to change demand for a drug whose popularity is increasing because of the rising awareness of it's benefits and relative safety. Just means more black-market action... and less tax revenues... to pay for the kops... that otherwise serve the entire community.
Hollands assinine policy of 'yeah, you can sell it... but you can't manufacture it' is like them saying 'yeah, you can breath... even when we are strangling you'!
I have empathy for wanting to keep criminals out of my respectable community & neighborhood... but hardly see this as anything more then political expediency at work... nothing brilliant... or designed to succeed... just more b.s.
So what exactly would keep foreigners from becoming private club members? This is how we got around 'blue laws' in the south on sundays... where you had to go to a private club ($100 year)... or buy your booze from the back of a truck parked behind the liquor store... instead of the inside of the liquor store... and the bozz ended up being 'duty free'... what logic!
Makes the kops look ineffective too... wanna stop people from urinating in public?... arrest them as i'm sure the law allows... even in cananda... some crackhead craps on my property they are under arrest (technically a citizens detention until a real law enforcer shows... including the right to confine and search for offensive weapons only)... the law allows us to detain people that trespass... and damage personal property!
Choose Legality,
TPIVXX
B.S. Sometimes you gotta shoot in the dark... because your muzzle flash is the only light!
It's actually understandable.
People who haven't been to Holland can't understand this, but their policy is actually quite reasonable. I remember one time in Amsterdam trying to get directions from people. Everyone just ran away assuming I was some kind of con-artist. In the course of 4 hours, I had three people try to pick my pocket. Finally the third time I was stoned enough I didn't notice. Fortunately the thieves were reasonably civil. They took all my cash, but left my wallet lying on the floor at my feet, so I still had my credit and bank cards.
The drug tourism that hits Holland, and particularly Amsterdam is really a mixed blessing,. It's easy to see that some citizens see it as a curse. The places that get a lot of drug tourists really are filthy concentrations of crime, bad behaviour and con-artists in this otherwise idyllic and peaceful country. Switzerland went through a similar problem a few years ago when it had similarly liberal enforcement of the Marijuanna laws (ah those were good day,s I could run down to the corner store, pick out a bag from a rack, and pay with my credit or debit card). Unfortunately the drug tourism began to lead to some of the same issues that Holland faces. Further, Switzerland started to suffer from strong pressure from other countries to get with their program. Imagine how it is for Holland, fighting against the current for so many years now. Whatever legitimate criticisms we might have of their policies, we must give them credit for their incredible courage and tenacity to go against the flow and take a better course than every other country around them.
Switzerland's reaction was to crack down on the shops. Now I can grow the stuff without worrying (I keep it in my window or balcony), but I can't go to the shop and buy it. When it became clear what the Swiss government was doing I actually campaigned a little for something like a "members only" system, but that the Swiss policy wasn't as official or entrenched as the Dutch one, so it was a hard sell.
The source of the problem of course is not Holland's laws, but the fact that it is surrounded by prohibitionist states. Look at a map sometime. Holland is TINY. It's easy for it to get overwhelmed by the drug tourism. Imagine if Rhode Island had made grass legal back in the eighties, while every other state kept its draconian laws. That's more or less the situation with Holland in Europe.
This is why America should move quickly to legalisation. America would make a fantastic drug tourism destination. First of all, our streets are filled with filth, homeless people, crime, and con-artists anyway. Secondly, we're huge. We could easily absorb the entire world's drug tourism without breaking a sweat. We won't hardly notice they are there. Finally, it will give all of the subsequently extraneous drug-warriors something to do. They can be trained to manage (politely, civilly) drunks and innebriates, to keep people from getting taken advantage of. Finally our massive police infrastructure could be used for a good purpose. If Nevada would outpace the other states, it might see its economic issues disappear.
Anyway, please don't villify Holland. They might not be perfect, but they've been a beacon of reasonableness for long enough they deserve some credit and slack.
www.glenstark.net
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