Amsterdam News: cracking down and violence

[Purple-Days]

The Netherlands' justice minister and five southern Dutch cities say they will implement new restrictions on Marijuana cafes after a wave of drug-related gangland violence.

They said Friday the measures include shutting down many cafes, using tax and accounting laws to seize criminal assets, and introducing a "members only" pass system for remaining cafes.

The government has previously floated the idea of a nationwide pass system that would make it difficult for tourists to buy marijuana, despite the country's famed tolerance policy, which allows sale and possession of small amounts of weed.

Last week, a home in Eindhoven was hit with machine gun fire and the mayor of Helmond went into hiding because of death threats. Police say both matters are drug-related.

 

[Nycdeisel]

Are you serious? I need to live where the laws are not so great on this, and now maybe I wont be able to go and use cannabis legally in Amsterdam? This is crazy

 

[hemp;)goofy8cheerio]

so where plz tell is the best place that has legal and may b free marijuana, peru??????????????????????

 

[VaporNation]

I doubt the "machine gun fire" and "death threats" were a direct result of marijuna use...but I suppose someone/something needs to be blamed.

 

[george]

It would truly be sad if tourists were not allowed in coffee shops anymore, i have yet to experience amsterdam. but i may be going to Europe this summer.

I've heard Amsterdam has a lot of problem with heroin and harder drugs alike, i wouldn't likely believe this violence is related to cannabis.

 

[Pappy]

The Netherlands' justice minister and five southern Dutch cities say they will implement new restrictions on Marijuana cafes after a wave of drug-related gangland violence.
They said Friday the measures include shutting down many cafes, using tax and accounting laws to seize criminal assets, and introducing a "members only" pass system for remaining cafes.

Reminds me of the old adage "the pendulum always swings". We live in a world where moderation is only accomplished by the constant agitation of wild polar swings.

 

[aesthyrian]

So they plan to curb gang activity by creating the demand for a black market? sad news..

 

[charliedontsurf]

Hey, this makes a great excuse to get your ass over there before the whole legal exception goes tits up

 

[Raf007]

The Amsterdam mayor already replied that if such a laws wdere tto be enacted he will not implement it amsterdam for the obvious reasons we all no.

Some Dutch officials have been trying to limit tourist access to MJ for a long time now, they still haven't really succeed, so hopefully it's a lot of noise for nothing.

The real danger here is the international lobbying for war on drugs, pressing netherlands.

 

[OhTheAgony]

They're talking more and more about this pass system nowadays, but to be honest I don't see it happen any time soon. Perhaps just in the cites closest to the border where drug tourism is a serious problem, although that might just shift the problem to other cities. I wish the rest of the world would follow our example and just legalise marijuana. Ya'll get your own coffeeshops dammit

How come most of you foreigners always think of Amsterdam for your partying needs btw? Not that it isn't a great town, but I wonder, isn't it common knowledge abroad that you'll find marijuana selling coffeeshops in practically every little town here in Holland?

 

[aesthyrian]

It's because we are uncultured Americans

 

[BillieBudd]

I was in Amsterdam in the early '70's...no weed but all hash and there were some places where you needed to "join" in order to enter...it didn't cost much ( I remember it being 1 guilder) so I wonder, if there is no residency requirement to become a "member", would it be any big deal as far as non Dutch tourists were concerned...
In any event I hope saner heads prevail...Spain and Portugal would be wise to take up the business...

 

[NathanBlades]

Easy problem to solve the government just needs to grow more weed so the value of it will be to low for criminal cartels to make an adequate profit. Hell when cig prices sky rocketed here in Canada, ppl were getting shot over that.

The reason I believe they dont is drug enforcement #1 supplies lots of jobs and #2 it's a great excuse to station your self in countries you dont belong and or to invade public rights.

Not to mention millions of ppl like me use MJ to replace prescription drugs cause they suck most of the time

 

[OhTheAgony]

Our government, growing weed?

Please no, we have a quality standard to keep up, lol.

Besides, we have so many coffeeshops, they would never be able to keep up with the demand.

The marijuana that's grown by our government is only distributed through pharmacy shops, often in an adapted form like pils or tinctures for instance. But they can't even keep up with that demand, so they (or actually, the health insurance companies) also give out coupons that can be used to get mj at a coffeeshop at a reduced price by prescription users.

Most of the growing here is still done illegally. It's all one big grey area with conflicting rules and a shady tolerance policy. Officially marijuana is still an illegal substance here, our government just tolerates a certain use and possession. It makes my head hurt if I think about it to long to be honest.

But, I'll gladly take it the way it is for now since we seem a lot better off then most of the world.

 

[djonkoman]

I doubt the "machine gun fire" and "death threats" were a direct result of marijuna use...but I suppose someone/something needs to be blamed.

indeed, I read the machinegun fire was related to a pillboss(some important figure related to the xtc-industry) who was in hiding in that apartment

 

[stinkmeaner]

It is amazing that the Government would even consider options like this. Do they not realize that tourism would dry up like a raisin if foreigners were barred from smoking in coffee shops, like it or not Amsterdam is/are Coffee Shops.

They mentioned something similar about 10 years ago and it never amounted to anything, hopefully it will go away again. It is the gangs and shady immigrants who are to blame for the violence, not the tourists on Holiday smoking an occasional joint.

 

[Raf007]

Plus the Tchek Republic is on the verge to legalize.

From what I've read on the internet it's pretty easy to find BC bud quality at lower prices than A'dam.
So that's where all the tourist will go, coz honestly I (and I'm pretty sure I'm not alone) don't travel to A'dam once a year to visit the city.

And most of the GF will prefer Prague to Amsterdam in term of romanticism....and the hotels are twice cheaper almost and bigger...as the is the cost for living.
Going there in february so will let you guys know how the weed is.

 

[george]

Plus the Tchek Republic is on the verge to legalize.

From what I've read on the internet it's pretty easy to find BC bud quality at lower prices than A'dam.
So that's where all the tourist will go, coz honestly I (and I'm pretty sure I'm not alone) don't travel to A'dam once a year to visit the city.

And most of the GF will prefer Prague to Amsterdam in term of romanticism....and the hotels are twice cheaper almost and bigger...as the is the cost for living.
Going there in february so will let you guys know how the weed is.

The Czech Republic is one the most liberal countries in Europe. They already decriminalized personal posession and cultivation of every drug. For marijuana i think the guidelines are up to 15grams of ready to smoke buds, and 4 plants is acceptable. My mom was born and raised there and i still have family there.

I heard some news about Europe discussing legalization as a whole, but i definately wouldnt be surprised if the Czechs did it first.

 

[OhTheAgony]

That's nice to know, I was just planning a bike/camping trip through ?esk upcoming summer

I guess I'll better get me a MFLB to accompany me. To bad Germany is in the way or I'd bring my own buds as well.