Most of you are probably aware of the new right turn politics have taken in the Netherlands. Of most concern to tourists is the recent changes in their soft drug laws. When I first began visiting the Netherlands in the late 80s, the novelty of going into a Dutch coffee shop and purchasing weed was a pretty radical concept. Wandering Amsterdam's nearly perfectly preserved 16th century center high as a kite was like being in a stoner's fairy tale. While the sale and possession of small amounts of marijuana has never been technically legal in Holland, the practical Dutch saw the harm being done by the illegal underground criminal business being conducted. Their solution was pragmatic and oh so peculiarly Dutch. They would leave soft drugs like marijuana in a state of legal limbo while imposing regulations that would permit the sale and use of them in a controlled environment. Thus was born the famed Dutch coffee shop. These coffee shops sell a wide variety of marijuana and hashish that you purchase off an actual menu. Along with your weed of choice, you can purchase coffee and soft drinks to enjoy as you roll a bone and sit back for a nice chill. Under Mark Rutta's new government with an assist by the powerful and extremest right wing and ironically named "Party for Freedom" led by the odious Geert Wilders, this was all set to change on January 1st of this year.
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Although a bit of a grace period has been extended, beginning May 1st the provinces of Limburg, Brabant and Zeeland (notably heavily Catholic provinces) will begin a roll-out of the new law. The remainder of the country will follow suit with an eye towards complete implementation by the end of this year. Under this new law, the coffee shops will continue to operate, however only Dutch nationals who have registered and obtained a "club card" or what is commonly being called a "weed card" will be permitted to enter them. Tourists need not apply. As you can imagine, this has caused quite an outcry from the more rational citizens not to mention the tourists who enjoy visiting the Netherlands for more than just the tulips, clogs and windmills.
These saner voices may have finally been heard. On February 21st the Ministry of Security and Justice announced that cities may opt out of adhering to the ban. The plan would be to allow local municipalities to turn a blind eye to shops which actively defy the ban.
"Municipalities may decide themselves what sort of action they take against coffeeshops which choose not to comply with the weedpass," the Ministry announced.
However another spokesperson from the same Ministry has added this:
But Dutch authorities say the law is the law, and it must be obeyed. "The mayor is responsible and he should take action," said a spokesperson for the Ministry of Security and Justice. "They can close the coffeeshops as a last resort."
A conflicting and confusing message to be sure.
This will be a very interesting year to watch Holland, a country renowned for tolerance and personal freedoms, as the implementation of this law comes into conflict with a disobedient citizenry. Not only are there concerns about the economic impact that the Netherlands will certainly feel as a result of this decision, there are deep and very appropriate worries about how this will effect the low crime rate currently enjoyed in this little kingdom by the sea.
As a person who considers himself more a connoisseur than a tourist of the Netherlands, I have high hopes that the government will come to its senses and reverse itself. And for those of you who would like to visit a country that allows its tourists to enjoy the odd doobie, might I recommend Spain.
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March 10, 2012
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