Supporters celebrate cannabis culture

Several thousand people took part in a ‘celebration for cannabis culture’ in Amsterdam on Sunday as the government presses on with reforms to the country’s liberal drugs laws.


Since May 1, non-residents and tourists have been banned from cannabis cafes in the south of the country and the measure will be rolled out nation-wide in January.
The cafes, known as coffee shops, are being turned into members’ only clubs with a maximum 2,000 registered members. The government says the move is necessary to reduce drugs tourism and public nuisance.
Opponents of the measure say it will lead to an increase in street dealing and crime. ‘This year it is make or break for coffee shops in the Netherlands,’ one of Sunday’s event organisers Joep Oomen told news agency AFP.
Although marijuana is not legal in the Netherlands, the authorities turn a blind eye to the possession of up to five grammes for personal use.

Thank you for donating to DutchNews.nl.

We could not provide the Dutch News service, and keep it free of charge, without the generous support of our readers. Your donations allow us to report on issues you tell us matter, and provide you with a summary of the most important Dutch news each day.

Make a donation