Dutch to stop tourists from buying pot

The new conservative Dutch government wants to force the country's marijuana cafes to become "members only" clubs, a move that would effectively block foreigners from buying the drug.
If the idea ever becomes reality -- it would be legally complicated and politically divisive -- it would be the latest of the country's liberal policies to be scrapped or curtailed as the Dutch rethink the limits of their famed tolerance.
While marijuana is technically illegal in the Netherlands, it has been sold openly in designated cafes for decades, and police make no arrests for possession of small amounts.
Justice Minister Ivo Opstelten said that in the future, only residents of Dutch cities will be allowed to purchase cannabis. "Not tourists. We don't like that," he said on state television in remarks broadcast Wednesday.

[Thanks Carl!]

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Posted By jamesk at 2010-11-18 20:35:54 permalink | comments

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Warren. : 2010-11-29 12:00:16

Business must be good in the Netherlands if they don't mind destroying most of their tourism income. Glad to hear things are booming there.

Merijn & Juno. : 2010-11-25 15:09:59

And our freaking government might be abled to get lists of the smokers? And that by far ain't the worst of our right wing government. But it might spark some good thoughts and maybe some good actions? And anyway they don't want to put all these tourists on the streets to buy? Cause we don't think they'll be stopped.
Well, let's hope we can get rid of that one fast and get some sense into this country again...

Guest 2. : 2010-11-23 19:31:46

Poor Netherlands being overrun by Biblebeaters "Not tourists. We don't like that," he said What if every joint came with a Biblical passage? Would that make them happy?
"And the earth brought forth grass and herb yielding seed after its kind, and the tree yielding fruit, whose seed was in itself, after his kind: and God saw that it was good." (Genesis 1:12)

guest : 2010-11-19 21:07:54

It's probably pot tourist areas are open air hard drug markets. Uve never been there mind u ive just heard things.

lame. : 2010-11-19 13:11:54

Retarded! Here's an idea. Stop the people coming into the Netherlands who like to stick knives in people's backs (Theo Van Gogh) and let the harmless pot smoker tourists have their fun. Instead of appealing to the idiot people who want to kill the infidels - how about growing some balls Netherlands?

Anonymous. : 2010-11-19 07:59:01

"The new conservative Dutch government wants to force the country's marijuana cafes to become "members only" clubs, a move that would effectively block foreigners from buying the drug."

I have to wonder how "effective" it would be.

I can remember visiting London once and many of the bars were actually "members only clubs" (this was to get around closing-time laws in regards to bars). As a foreigner, I was able to hand them a couple of pounds and instantly become a "member."

John Shade. : 2010-11-19 01:12:32

The Dutch police is already suffering from capacity problems, so good luck preventing Dutch citizens from reselling to tourists.

Johnathan. : 2010-11-18 21:49:37

I felt a great disturbance in the force, as if a million tourists cried out in terror and asked, what was I saying?

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Dutch to stop tourists from buying pot

Posted By jamesk at 2010-11-18 20:35:54 permalink | comments

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