Understanding the Netherlands' Marijuana Policy
Fri, Jun 27, 2008 2:41 pm
Source: usatoday.com
The Dutch have adopted a policy of "gedogen," or blind eye, to its sale and use since 1976. The government distinguished between so-called "soft" cannabis drugs and "hard" drugs such as heroin or cocaine. That's when coffee houses sprang up to sell and let people smoke.
In 1996, the Dutch government began to crack down on cannabis cafes. It now licenses them, bans them advertising their product, prohibits sales to anyone under 18, and limits sales and possession to 5 grams a day per person. Before, people could possess up to 30 grams. Since then, the number of shops in the country has fallen by about half -- to 720 in the country. Last year, shops were forced to choose between serving alcohol and cannabis. Most chose cannabis. The sales aren't subject to tax. However, owners pay taxes on the income they make from selling it.
The government and cannabis advocates say that regulating the sale and use of soft drugs results in less hard-drug addiction.
"If other countries followed our system, there would be less drug abuse in the world," says Mark Jacobsen, chairman of the Amsterdam Union of Coffee Shops.
The Netherlands policy is unique in Europe, where the classification of cannabis as a drug and criminals laws that apply to its possession vary.
The European Union's Monitoring Center for Drugs and Drug Addiction in Lisbon says that cannabis use may pose a risk to physical and psychological health.
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Coop
Jul 2 2008, 12:27 pm
greenisgrowing
Jun 30 2008, 8:32 pm
DonaldDuck
Jun 30 2008, 4:07 pm
Jimbob
Jun 28 2008, 4:03 pm
Even if you dont reach outside of your lil world, live your life in a way that helps bring about truth. Or sit on the side lines bitch and moan, and dont be suprised when the shit just stays the same.
Look at Cali, Colorado, and the 10 others that have made change, how did it happen? The same way you eat an elephant, one bite at a time, or in this case one registered voter at a time. Once you reach critical mass, the momentum is on OUR side.
bblazin420
Jun 28 2008, 3:31 pm
only truly free to the people in uniform
the police are just a huge gang that people around the world
have been brainwashed into believing they are there to protect and serve, but reality in the streets its harass and disturb. are they really helping us by taking away our children, our parents and anyone thats really close to us. so much pain its just a big game, play on
Jimbob
Jun 28 2008, 11:44 am
I offer you something I havent seen yet in any of these forums: A Solution to the problem at hand.
Talk to one of your friends each day, or each week. Have a civil discourse with at least one stranger a week. Strengthen your argument, learn, and teach other people to think for themselves. This is truely the only way a war on control, and ubiquitous steering of the market place.
Ask em : What is your overall mission in life?
If you dont have one defined, then you are the perfect soil for establishmentarianism to germinate its soul rotting vine of consumerism and materialism. The point of life? WTF jimbob STFU you say. I counter, then what is it? Cars, bitches, houses, drink, weed, parties, toys, gems, gold?
When you get ALL of those THINGS whats left? Nothing but drunkenly shaving your head and driving around endangering the world at large, simply because there is nothing left to HAVE, and you have no fulfillment. We see it time and time again with these half a billionaire bitches in hollywood.
Im not telling you to go crusade, but unless some of us start reaching outside of our paradigm, and really speaking to people, and educating them ourselves, then no one will.
Scoff at me, flame me, but know that this is truely the only way people as a whole, American or otherwise, will be able to shake the yoke of their handlers.
All of this means life changes and sacrafice at the personal level. Who among us has done it? Who cares to do it? Ask yourself those questions the next time you think about who's going to change the world.
420Viper
Jun 28 2008, 4:53 am
Bluesmoke
Jun 28 2008, 4:08 am
Kill a Jew? Then kill me. Or do us all a favor and do yourself.
Suggs4Drugs
Jun 28 2008, 12:52 am
I hate that we have bullshit poloticians telling us what is right and wrong.
Laws are useless, the good dont need them, and the bad dont follow them.
I was listening MPR, and a soldier over in Afganistan (sp?)
said it was his platoons (sp?) job to help make sure poppy plantation owners werent hurt my terrorist so they could import the herion into the U.S., and as soon as it gets here, we arrest the small time people who cant help but be hooked on this awefull illegal substance, thats bullshit.
And dont get me started on the U.S. CIA importing Cocaine to help support the Contras fighting back in the 70's. Research Freeway Ricky, or Rick Ross.
And this isnt some bullshit conspiracy, this is a well documented fact that the Media ignores (Go Figure).
Sorry for the bad spelling, Ive been drinking a bit.
b-rad
Jun 27 2008, 11:52 pm
USA wants us addicted
Jun 27 2008, 7:24 pm
They are running this ship into an iceberg
the head jew
Jun 27 2008, 6:38 pm
what an idiot! Do us all a favor and shut the fuck up and go get yourself an education!
kill a Jew
Jun 27 2008, 3:13 pm
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