Netheralnds:
Dutch Government Wants "Members Only" Cannabis Coffee Shops

Drug War Chronicle

Wednesday 09 Sep 2009

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 it should be "members only" so the coffee
shops 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
inconsistent policy of tolerating 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, but leaving the shops open, is
the most likely result.

http://stopthedrugwar.org/chronicle/600/dutch_government_wants_members_only_c
annabis_coffee_houses