a ban for tourists to coffee shops!! doesnt take rocket science to see that will lead to increase of street dealing,just look at the uk...short sighted..and i thought nl was a liberal country..seems not maybe we should ban dutch from uk pubs!!! so much for all equal in the EU!!!!!

Anyone getting sick and tired of this subject yet? We all know the big lies about the plant and the propaganda.

I would rather buy from a friend in a bar, or a house dealer any day, like during the 80's...

It's not so much a war on soft drugs, but a war against defending the large corporations that continue to milk us, & payoffs to governments all over this sad sorry-arse planet . Prohibition for the wrong reasons along with yellow journalism says it all, just years of BS lies!

How much longer??

Your the only county with any common sense. Don't turn you county into the wild West

@ KEVIN - you mean neo-liberal ...

See if you think that this article is worth a read on that topic ==> http://neweconomicperspectives.blogspot.com/2011/12/europes-transition-from-social.html

@Kevin: "and i thought nl was a liberal country" ?? How could you think something like that? There is a lot of indifference here, not liberalims (as in open-mindedness). And indifference can work only in good time when no one has anything to lose. that's why all this (including racism and descirimination) is coming out now.

Obviously this is pressure from the EUSSR on the Dutch government in exchange for more influence in decision making. The Dutch politicians are tired of being considered as the pot suppliers of Europe. But careful for what you wish for as anyone sustaining the ban is a supporter of underworld criminal activity. Then so be it. I for one won't be visiting the Netherlands any longer, countries like Czech Republic and Portugal who instead are bucking the trend and de-criminalizing soft drugs will see an increase in tourism. And it's a shame because I love and respect the Dutch.

visitor: I am thoroughly sick of hearing and reading about it. I think the implementation of this 'pass system' will cause major problems and fail miserably. It's a real shame to see so much energy and time and tax money wasted on this type of nonsense in these serious economic times.

Belgium has a federal government now. Perhaps a trilateral policy in the benelux on cannabis clubs can be worked out with Luxembo(u)rg.

@Dave Lovett: country.

@Marco: The Holland I know values personal freedom right after Queen & Country. Portugal is worth a look.

So-called coffeeshops in Noord-Brabant, Limburg and Zeeland could become members' only clubs in May. 'Will now'?

Bill: I entirely agree. Just the fact that the lying politicians in cahoots with the corporate world only mention the female flower (THC scapegoating) from the plant, and never mention the many great products that can be extracted makes me sick, namely cheap bio fuels, medicine, oil, paper, plastic & clothing!!

The bible makes it very clear: but a tree of knowledge does not produce apples, go figure!!

@Marco - Let me get this right. You "love and respect the Dutch" but you will no longer come here strictly because of their decision on Cafe' memberships? Does that make sense? I like a beer, but I won't avoid countries because of their liquor laws. Can I suggest you may need a 12 step program!

Interesting to see that it is the Cannabis restriction articles that really seem to be of interest to the English language Dutch news consumer...perhaps the government is really on to something? Fewer tourists and immigrants that come primarily for something else besides the sex, drugs and rock and roll would might not be a bad thing.

The Dutch naively thought that the rest of the world would follow their example on cannabis decriminalization. Unfortunately, due to lack of political will to address the back door problem, the Dutch cannabis market is overrun by the mafia and an enabler of violent organized crime -- just like it is in countries with no so-called decriminalization.