Amsterdam coffee shops

Todo bien Tony. I might have misunderstood some of your phrases.

Ok, pax.

I think the main problem isn't that Holland has the weed selling coffee shops, it's that the rest of Europe/world doesn't!

15: Since pot is legal in the Netherlands

Not exactly.

There's a principle in Dutch law that you cannot be charged of a crime if it's only you who is (potentially) harmed your actions. From that a law is derived that you can have a small amount of marijuana for personal use, someone elsewhere on this thread quoted 5g.

In a typically Dutch twist of pragmatism the coffee shops are licensed to sell marijuana. Supposedly to people over 18, supposedly in small amounts. And now, apparently, only to Dutch citizens.

But it has always been illegal to bring marijuana across the border, which means that one part of the supply chain has been under the control of organised crime - hence the threats and violence in Helmond against people who tried to reduce the market for it.

I think there's a big difference between a tourist coming to Amsterdam who wants to smoke a joint for the experience and the groups who have been coming across the border from Germany and Belgium and transporting quantities back to their home country where it is not legal and where it has been causing local problems. So it will be interesting to see if there's any way found to distinguish between the two groups.

I think there's a big difference between a tourist coming to Amsterdam who wants to smoke a joint for the experience and the groups who have been coming across the border from Germany and Belgium and transporting quantities back to their home country

But where is the difference between 1000 Beligians/Germans coming to Holland to smoke weed, or one guy bringing enough back to sell to the same 1000 Belgians/germans?

The same amount of weed gets grown/distributed/sold, the only difference is the location of consumption.

Anyway, it will be interesting to see what happens.

The last time I went to Amsterdam, I was refused service at a coffee shop, because I only wanted a coffee and wasn't buying any weed.

negative...??? I don´t think it is negative at all that some countries give their people more freedom than others. These things are personal decisions who do not harm anybody else!

You probably haven't experienced what devastating effect this idiot liberal drug policy can have on people and their families. I have lived 39 years in The Netherlands and I have seen many examples
A total crack down on drugs is the only right policy.

#26: You have to limit or forbid completly a lot of other things then too!!!!

Edited by: nahuel

But where is the difference between 1000 Beligians/Germans coming to Holland to smoke weed, or one guy bringing enough back to sell to the same 1000 Belgians/germans?

In my example I used one tourist coming Amsterdam - not just "Holland" for a reason; The border towns find themselves in the middle of a drug war. Surprisingly few people enjoy being in the middle of a drug war.

To add a relevant fact to #28: The border towns find themselves in the middle of a drug war. Surprisingly few people enjoy being in the middle of a drug war.
Yesterday there was a massive police-action (200 cops involved) and five people were arrested probably linked to a 'drugs' murder some weeks ago. In the almost border town Eindhoven.