Dutch Drugs Policy to Get 30 Year Review

[prepress420]

From DutchNews.nl
(Affects Seed companies as well...didn't know where to post this)
A majority of MPs have called for a wideranging
review of Dutch drugs policy following
concerns that an increasing number
of youngsters are getting into trouble with
soft drugs such as marijuana. The Netherlands
has a policy of turning a blind eye
to the possession of up to five grammes of
marijuana for personal use. The call came
during a day-long debate on the country’s
drugs laws. Health minister Ab Klink agreed
to carry out the research which will focus
on developments over the past 30 years.
The goal is to determine if the practise of
ignoring soft drugs has limited the risks to
users as promised when it was first devised. However, Klink stressed the
research will be ‘extremely difficult’, partly because there is no statistical
information dating back to the time soft drugs laws were relaxed.
The aim of the change was to take soft drugs out of the criminal sphere.
During Thursday’s debate, justice minister Ernst Hirsch Ballin said he is
planning to crack down on the production of marijuana in the Netherlands
- particularly the number of shops selling supplies for growers, such as
seeds, specialist lighting and fertilisers. Ministers are also looking at ways
to reduce the role of the internet in the drugs trade and cut back on drugs
tourism. Belgium and Germany have raised concerns about the location
of marijuana-selling coffee shops close to their borders. Measures have
already been taken to reduce the number of coffee shops near schools.

 

[Guest]

Here they go again.......

Well id have to say,its people that FUCK THING UP?
All these little idiots getting in troubles HUH,thanks kids?
Bet BUSH rambed someones ASS HARD?
SHIT!

 

[mr.haze420]

here they go again, fixing something that is not broken, these politicians are nuts.

 

[Insomniac]

I don't see how a review is fixing something that isn't broken. I wouldn't say there are flaws, but I can see many reasons to alter the outstanding laws. These are substances that when taken alter people's judgment, even if the people are STUPID to begin with.
Lou, you are right.. People just fuck stuff up no matter how great it is.

 

[krustytheclown]

Well, we all saw this coming. With the rise of the European Union and the destruction of national sovereignty, we then saw cries to ban smoking (of all kinds) from public places. First we saw the banning of mushrooms and space cookies/brownies. Then, we saw Amsterdam take over a huge swath of the Red Light District to put up stupid-ass art galleries and high-end clothing shoppes. The, the justice minister says he wants to crack down on the number of coffeeshoppes, horticultural lighting supplies and seed producers.

And, now we are seeing the Dutch government undertake a "review" of their drugs policy. Gee, I wonder what the panel is going to recommend.

If anyone reading this is a voter in Holland, you MUST MUST MUST stop electing these assholes who want to ban or restrict marijuana in any way.

Seceding from or destroying the EU would be a good idea, too.

 

[mr.haze420]

Netherlands to change successful drugs policy

For over 30 years, the Netherlands has had the most liberal drugs policy in the world. But all that is about to change. After this week's parliamentary debate on the drugs issue, it looks like even the Netherlands' world-famous "coffee shops" may not escape the present government's reforms.

During the debate, the government presented plans to ban "grow shops", which selling seed and equipment for cultivating marijuana at home. Justice Minister Ernst Hirsch Ballin promised new legislation within a matter of months aimed at banning "everything that facilitates the domestic cultivation of cannabis" and imposing strict penalties on offenders.

Curtains for coffee shops?

A majority of MPs support the minister's efforts to take a much tougher line on the use, cultivation and sale of drugs. The spokesman for the main coalition party, the Christian Democrats, even advocated closing down the Netherlands' world famous coffee shops, where people can purchase a limited amount of soft drugs without facing legal sanctions. This proposal may also be able to count on a parliamentary majority.

This wind of change has to do with the fact that there are now far more conservatives among the people's representatives in the Netherlands than there have been for many a year. The coalition government currently running the country consists of three parties: the Christian Democrats, Labour and junior partner the Christian Union.

It is Labour's position that has undergone the biggest shift. Much to the vexation of the progressive opposition parties, Labour MPs have tend to vote along the same lines as their coalition partners since coming to power. And given that the opposition also includes the conservative VVD and the far right Freedom Party, both of which take a prohibitive stance on drugs, this is the first time in years that a real change in policy stands a chance of being implemented.

Success story

The left-wing opposition parties describe the changes as disastrous. For although the Dutch approach to drugs has been the target of much criticism from the rest of the world, its supporters within the Netherlands are quick to point out that it has been a shining success story. For years, the Netherlands has been at the very top of the rankings when it comes to the lowest number of drug-related deaths.

Experts say this is mainly due to the transparency of the Dutch system, the strict dividing line between hard drugs and soft drugs and the outstanding care for addicts. However, the current government is keen to jettison this liberal approach because of their own anti-drugs beliefs and because it is thought to contravene European regulations. Ironically, the proposed changes come at a time when an increasing number of governments are gradually coming round to the idea of following the Dutch example, precisely because it has been such a success.

 

[Alex-F]

Ironically, the proposed changes come at a time when an increasing number of governments are gradually coming round to the idea of following the Dutch example, precisely because it has been such a success.

How does that song go again? Well isn't it ironic, don'tcha think...

 

[oldpink]

If this policy goes ahead it will be the end for Amsterdam as a tourist center

 

[mr.haze420]

another case of killing the goose that lays the golden egg

 

[krustytheclown]

Experts say this is mainly due to the transparency of the Dutch system, the strict dividing line between hard drugs and soft drugs and the outstanding care for addicts. However, the current government is keen to jettison this liberal approach because of their own anti-drugs beliefs and because it is thought to contravene European regulations.

Wow, I was right! It is the agenda of the EU and the UN to continue the WOSD. And since the Dutch people have turned over their sovereignty to the EU, their own laws are now in contradiction of their new master, the EU (which does not hold direct elections for representatives of the people, by the way- neither does the UN).

The EU and the UN must be dismantled.

Tyranny is coming, folks.

Vote. Run for office. Become politically active. If we do nothing, we are all screwed.

 

[Z10N]

i hate fucking politicians.

 

[EZlistener]

i thought the coffeeshops brought most of the tourism to Amsterdam/Holland

surely the monies generated thru tourism with taxes etc will undoubtedly be missed if the coffeeshops were to close, it will have a knock-on effect with other businesses, eg hotels, cafes

i'm not an economist or anything, it just seems obvious

 

[krustytheclown]

i thought the coffeeshops brought most of the tourism to Amsterdam/Holland

surely the monies generated thru tourism with taxes etc will undoubtedly be missed if the coffeeshops were to close, it will have a knock-on effect with other businesses, eg hotels, cafes

i'm not an economist or anything, it just seems obvious

Common sense and an understanding of the proper role of government has no place among politicians who have an agenda: they will take any steps necessary to implement that agenda and reach their political goal no matter how much damage it causes.

For examples, look at the Holocaust, Cambodia's Killing Fields, China's "Steel Programme" (I forget the exact name of this program), Canada's One-Payer government medical system, Zimbabwe's land redistribution and economic policies in the last 10 years, the ongoing state of war in the Korean Peninsula, and on and on and on...

 

[PablowPicasso]

...the EU (which does not hold direct elections for representatives of the people...

Not true.
The European Parliament(EP) is representing the people of Europe (while the Council of the EU represents the member states).
The MEP(members of the EP) are directly elected by citizens since 1979.
However, one can agree on all the rest

 

[REZDOG]

A billion Euros,or so,in taxable canna-income is hard to ignore.
The Dutch are pragmatic,and they've been smuggling goods since time immemorial.
That's not likely to stop.
The bush/cheney regime is history in a few short months,& then (imo) we'll see a subtle worldwide shift,as the Left breathes a sigh of relief.
Watch,wait,& see....

 

[EZlistener]

rez
lets hope so

 

[kamul]

I think Bush leaving office is the best thing the world has seen in 8 years

 

[MyAssIsGrass]

I didn't see any mention of clamping down on other 'soft drugs' such has the highly taxed alcohol and tobacco Yet more conservative government hypocrisy, cannabis being made the scapegoat once again

 

[ripOG]

I agree with Rez and the others. The decriminalization of soft drugs has been an incredible success both criminally and financially for the Dutch. The bails of cash being brought in from cannabis tourism cannot be ignored, even by the most conservative and ignorant politicians. I don't think we will see any changes here any time soon.

 

[mr.haze420]

when the hotels, restaurants are empty and there is no one to buy the wooden shoes and blue plates, they will know how stupid they are