Cannabis Clash in Dutch Cabinet!

[nolvanschaik]

Dutch Ministers clash over coffeeshops and weed.

 

It is well known that the Dutch Justice Minister, Piet Hein Donner, does not like coffeeshops and softdrugs users, he wants to get rid of them all.

That is why he visited the southern province of Limburg yesterday, so he could personally deliver his disapproval of the plans of two of his rebellious town mayors, Mayor Leers of Maastricht and Mayor Som van Kerk of Heerlen, all CDA politicians.

These Mayors want to see the production of cannabis for coffeeshops regulated and legalized, they consider the War on Drugs a waste of time, funds and effort.

Donner went to Limburg to declare a full war on cannabis growers and drugs dealers, and to show the renegade Mayors he does not at all agree with their stance towards cannabis and coffeeshops. This way, Donner wants to stop drugs tourism from countries like Germany, France, Belgium and even Italy. He intends to give the Mayors in the South more power to close drugs houses, even if there are no complaints about such a place.

 

In the meanwhile, Minister Pechtold of City Policy stated his support for the vision of Mayors Leers of Maastricht, who wants to create a Weed Boulevard near the German border, to keep the cannabis tourists from clogging up his City. Leers wants to legalize the supply of cannabis to coffeeshops, in an effort to save money and personnel.

Pechtold fully agrees with Mayor Leers, which nearly made Donner explode in anger.

 

This event will continue in the second Chamber today, I will keep you updated on this Cannabis Clash in Cabinet!

 

Nol van Schaik.

[nolvanschaik]

Donner denies conflict over soft drugs

26 April 2005

AMSTERDAM — Justice Minister Piet Hein Donner has denied a difference of opinion between himself and Democratic Reform Minister Alexander Pechtold over the coalition government's soft drugs policy.

 

 

The two ministers met on Tuesday morning to discuss the commotion sparked by differing statements over the nation's cannabis policies on Monday.

Pechtold said he was in favour of legalising cannabis cultivation across Europe and until such time, he said coffeeshops that sell marijuana should be relocated to municipal limits to minimise inner city drug problems.

But Christian Democrat CDA minister Donner is keen to implement a tougher policy against coffeeshops. Legislation is pending to allow swift closures of coffeeshops to eliminate city disturbances.

Responding to the controversy, Donner said: "It is a lot of commotion about nothing. Essentially, we have no difference of opinion".

He pointed out that the legalisation of soft drugs in Europe is a policy of the Democrat D66 and that Pechtold — who was recently appointed a D66 minister following the resignation of Thom de Graaf — had been speaking about the future of soft drugs policy on Monday.

 

Donner said the current issue was combating criminality and drugs problems and maintaining government policy against cannabis production.

D66 leader Boris Dittrich also defended Pechtold on Tuesday, stressing that neighbouring countries are increasingly understanding of the Dutch policy of toleration when it comes to soft drugs.

He rejected CDA accusations that Pechtold made a "beginner's error", claiming that it would be ridiculous if a minister was not allowed to speak about problems in society. He said Donner and Pechtold will be able to work together.

Both the opposition parties Labour PvdA and green-left GroenLinks reacted positively to Pechtold's statement. "There is now a minister who dares to think," PvdA leader Wouter Bos said.

The social-democrats are opposed to continuing the present policy of toleration and are in favour of legalising the cultivation and transport of cannabis.

GroenLinks leader Femke Halsema said Pechtold's statement was a "hopeful sound" within the coalition Cabinet.

MPs will discuss experiments in the nation's soft drugs policy in an emergency debate with Minister Donner on Wednesday. At the insistence of Halsema, Pechtold will also attend the debate.

Currently, the sale of cannabis at coffeeshops is subject to a policy of toleration in the Netherlands, but commercial cannabis cultivation is illegal and subject to prosecution.