Travelers to Amsterdam or Copenhagen for New Years Eve can relax and exhale. The reported ban on pot cafe visits without a special 'club card' was due to become effective January 1, 2012. But the weed card legislation has been delayed. Dutch officials are now reporting that it won't take effect until next summer in some areas, and even later for others.
Coffeeshops are known to be a popular 'attraction' for Spanish, Italian and North American visitors. For a very small proportion of these visitors a visit to a coffeeshop is the most important activity during their stay.Eight percent of US travelers to Amsterdam say the pot cafes are their main reason for visiting Amsterdam. But Spanish tourists are the top pot cafe visitors, with nearly 30% checking them out.
What’s going on?
The government has a legislative program for making all coffeeshops into private clubs, accessible only to customers issued a club card. In the Netherlands 'coffeeshop' is a euphemism for cafes where the sale of cannabis to the public for personal consumption is tolerated by the local authorities. The membership cards would be obtainable only by residents of the Netherlands aged 18 or older. Foreign tourists would no longer be allowed into Dutch coffee shops if the plan becomes law. The government hopes the change – known as the 'wietpas' or 'weed card' - will reduce the use of soft drugs by young people and cut crime and disturbances in the vicinity of coffeeshops. Another aim of the government is to put an end to 'drugs tourism' in the Netherlands, especially in the southern provinces (Limburg, North Brabant and Zeeland).
What’s the status of the plan?
The introduction of the weed card is proposed legislation that has not yet become law. For the time being foreign tourists still have access to Dutch coffeeshops as normal. The card is expected to be introduced in the three southern provinces of the Netherlands in May 2012. The other parts of the country are likely to introduce the card in 2013. There is considerable opposition to the introduction of this measure in Amsterdam and other major cities.
What is Dutch policy on drugs?
Unlike numerous other countries within and outside Europe, the Netherlands operates a policy of tolerating soft drugs like cannabis. Under this policy it is not prohibited to use soft drugs. Their use is allowed or tolerated under controlled conditions. All acts involving cannabis except its use are punishable. The minimum age for using soft drugs is 18. There are heavy penalties for supplying soft drugs to minors. Although the sale of soft drugs is punishable by law, the sale of small quantities for personal use in a coffeeshop is not subject to prosecution. However, the coffeeshops must comply with the following conditions:
· not more than 5 grams per person per day may be sold;
· hard drugs must not be sold;
· there must be no sales to minors and minors must not be allowed into a coffeeshop;
· no alcohol may be served on the premises;
· there must be no advertising of drugs;
· there must be no disturbances in the vicinity;
· the stock must not exceed 500 grams.
Soft drugs & tourism
Dutch border cities like Maastricht (Limburg), Venlo (Limburg), Bergen op Zoom (North Brabant) and Roosendaal (North Brabant) are popular among German, Belgian and French visitors who come briefly to the Netherlands to buy soft drugs. These cities close to the national frontiers have become destinations for 'drugs tourism' and many local officials and residents would like to see the introduction of the weed card. The border areas are likely the first places in the Netherlands to introduce the card.
Coffeeshops are part of Amsterdam's 'liberal' image. Some major cities, including Amsterdam, anticipate problems if the card is introduced in their jurisdiction. They doubt whether the card will solve the crime problem and whether there is sufficient manpower to enforce such a law in the coffeeshops.
© Copyright 2012 Mary Holman. All rights reserved. This article and content may not be republished, rewritten or excerpted.
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