the Weedpass: failure before introduction.

[cannabinol]

The Dutch Weedpass: Failure before introduction.

 

The new Dutch government wants to introduce a Weedpass for coffeeshops, for Dutch citizens only, in order to exclude foreigners from buying cannabis. The reason for this project is to stop the cannabis tourism to the Dutch cities in the border areas near Belgium and Germany.

Justice Minister Opstelten wants to introduce the Weedpass fast and first in the border cities, the rest of the country will follow, he wants to introduce the Weedpass 'nationwide'.

 

Nationwide introduction of the Weedpass is impossible, because only 101 of Hollands' 441 municipalities allow coffeeshops, the smokers in the 340 vilaages and towns without coffeeshops buy on the black market for decades now. The Weedpass will be for local use only, so the smokers from municipalities without coffeeshops will not be able to apply for the Weedpass, they will keep buying from streetdealers, for them, and their suppliers, nothing will change.

 

The only solution to get rid of the cannabis tourism in our border areas would be the introdution of cannabis outlets in Germany, Belgium, France and the UK, so they do not have to come to Dutch coffeeshops any longer. This is not a stupid proposal, and it is no longer forbidden in European politics:

http://coffeeshopnews.nl/index.php?option=com_kunena&Itemid=0&func=view&catid=7&id=1195#1195

 

My guess is the EU came out with this news because of the hype around the Weedpass, and the verdict of the European Court, allowing the Dutch Weedpass technically, because drugs, including cannabis, are considered illegal in Eu contries.

http://coffeeshopnews.nl/index.php?option=com_kunena&Itemid=0&func=view&catid=7&id=1233

 

I think this ruling is made by looking at EU countries in general, but the Netherlanders have a right to use drugs in their country, by exercising their ' right to a rush' (RECHT OP ROES), allowing an individual to use any substance he/she chooses to explore.

The Schengen agreement states that every EU citizen has the same rights as the citizens of the EU country he/she is visiting, named as free trafficbetween EU countries and the free exchange of goods and knowledge between these countries.

 

If any Dutch person has the 'right to a rush', how can we deny our co-Eu citizens this right?

I bet the EU Court never even heard of this right. In Holland it is allowed to use drugs, it is illegal to sell drugs, except for the 666 tolerated cannabis coffeeshops.

 

The hype around the Weedpass will soon come to an end, the City Council of Maastricht, the City that was supposed to run a Weedpass pilot, rejects the Weedpass as such by minority, and will change the Local Law in order to make it impossible to introduce the Weedpass in Maastricht, ever. This means the Weedpass will pass the weed, because it will only work if all border cities introduce it, without Maastricht it makes no sense at all, all tourists would go there...

This would mean the end of a stupid scheme, because the rest of Dutch Cities with coffeeshops will not introduce the Weedpass, as most of them, like Amsterdam, did not want the pass in the first place.

 

I say. let the weed pass, from the Dutch coffeeshops to those who want it, from whereever they are.

I call upon the German, French and Belgium cannabis affecionados to try to open their own cannabis outlets, the EU will let you do it!

 

Nol van Schaik, coffeeshop entrepreneur, Haarlem, the Netherlands.

[The Hash Nibbler]

Thanks Nol =) , Interesting, I think the dutch government will soon realize the amount of flow on tourist dollars that hit The Netherlands as a result of foriegners visiting Holland for a smoke and a bit of sight seeing, it is essential to their economy. We are not talking just a few people, this is BIG buisness...... there are hotels, bars, clubs, tourism operators.........the list goes on.............and thats not including the whole range of buisnesses such as coffeeshops that cater to the specific area in question.

I understand that people are sick of people from other countries invading there home just to get weed, when Holland is so much more than that.

 

Of course Maastricht would never approve the Weedpass, that is like killing their local economy. Lovely town by the way, and I totally suggest climbing the Spire at the old church and looking out over the old embattlements and the city itself.........Lovely.

 

I think some locals just get sick of the people who abuse the coffeeshop system, guys driving up from france/belgium/germany, getting their weed and getting soooo wrecked, they try and jump in their cars to go back home and can't even drive, causing damage to property and injury.................. or Boats flooding down the rivers out of Germany to pick up their weed in Tiel or Maastricht. Seen this first hand ... it's like watching Lemmings.

 

I think it's all hoohaa, and it won't go through. Nice Idea about opening up coffeeshops in the surrounding countries but isn't the EU set up so they all decide on laws that affect all it's members, don't think one country can impose it's own system on the rest of the EU without the others consent. Just a thought.......

 

Personally, I think if people who go to Holland on smoking Holidays just showed a bit more interest in the Dutch Culture and History and got out of the Dam and went to some awesome spots in Holland including the Islands like Tessel, then the Dutch would welcome you with open arms.......not they don't already, being the lovely friendly people they are..........It's about taking an interest in the people who live there and experiencing a different way of life. ....................bit of respect never hurt either . Gh72

[brick]

I would say that some countries (England for one) is putting pressure on the Dutch gov to ban the tourists from Coffee shops.

[The Hash Nibbler]

Kinda crazy hey Brick . How a country who never wanted to join the EU, has it's own seperate currency from the EU might try and force the hand of the EU. Lot a stoners in England won't like that at all. Probably just want to set up their own system but can't compete. .

Who knows.......The Dutch see it as a civil liberty for it's citizens to be free to enjoy the Herb if they like, where the rest of the countries see it as an offront to their right wing drug policies. Seen as Holland is one of the driving forces in the EU's economy, I don't think they got that much to worry about....................we hope. . Gh72

[everest]

them dutch cunts are wankas .. the new hope from the grape vine in europe .. is portugal .

 

yep legal drugs , sunshine , nice peeps and a direct root for hashish from morroco .

 

so soon they can keep there phoey drugs ... wankas .

 

ev

[andrewb]

wow this is a good step, i dont think the general public though in the eu realise that the eu comission does not oppose decriminalisation of marijuana. this makes me a bit less tense as in a few weeks i plan to cross the boarder from germany to the netherlands to buy some weed yahoo!!

 

When i first came to the netherlands i had no idea how beautiful the place is. amsterdam is totally awesome with its canals and small ancient streets and the vodel park is like my 2nd home! Ohhh why couldnt my gf be dutch and not deutsch. so close so close, she grew up 30kms from enschede and her dad has a dutch pass. Noordwijk is totally cool also, not far from Haarlem.

Edited March 28, 2011 by andrewb