Full article: Temporary reprieve for Amsterdam coffeeshops located close to schools

Amsterdam mayor berhard van der Laan has announced that 44 coffeeshops located too close to schools under a new national law may remain open for business until at least the end of 2012.

Under a law passed by the previous Dutch government all so-called coffeeshops located within 250 metres walking distance from a school would have to close down by the end of this year.

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Full article: Dutch government reclassifies high-potency Cannabis

The Dutch government has decided that coffeeshops in the Netherlands will no longer be allowed to sell high-potency weed and hash.

Cannabis products containing more than 15 percent THC, the main active chemical, will be classified alongside hard drugs such as cocaine and ecstasy.

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Full article: 21 Amsterdam coffeeshops too close to schools

The coalition agreement of the current Dutch government includes a provision that there must be a minimum distance of 350 meters beween cannabis-selling coffeeshops and the nearest school.

In 2010, 21 coffeeshops in Amsterdam were located within that distance from a school.

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Full article: Amsterdam against coffeeshops membership system that excludes tourists

Amsterdam remains opposed to plans by the Dutch government to introduce a pass card/membership system for coffeeshops — establishments where customers can legally purchase and use marijuana and other soft drugs.

The Dutch wants coffeeshops to become private clubs accessible only to adult residents of the Netherlands. Members would be registered for a pass card system, and tourists would be banned.

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Full article: Amsterdam does not want membership system for coffeeshops

The municipality of Amsterdam is against plans by the new Dutch government to introduce a pass card/membership system for coffeeshops.

The coalition agreement of the new Dutch cabinet says that coffeeshops should become private clubs accessible only to adult citizens of the Netherlands. Members would be registered for a pass card system, and tourists will be barred.

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Full article: Will Amsterdam’s famous coffeeshops have to close?

The free availability of hash and marijuana attracts a lot of tourists to the Netherlands, but the new Dutch government has plans to prevent them from buying weed.

Among other measures the new government plans to transform coffeeshops into private clubs with membership available only to Dutch citizens. [video]

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Full article: Amsterdam wants to experiment with its coffeeshops

The Amsterdam city council wants to experiment with coffeeshops -- those establishments where soft drugs like marijuana and hash are legally sold and consumed.

In one variant drugs would only be consumed on the premises. The other consists only of a take-way counter open during established store hours.

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Full article: Amsterdam: coffeeshops near schools may not have to close

Amsterdam mayor Job Cohen later this month will present the city councel with a handful of alternative measures designed to prevent the forced closure of coffeeshops located near schools.

Federal rules to go into effect no later than December 2011 will prohibit coffeeshops from operating within 250 meters from a high school.

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Full article: Amsterdam wants to transform Red Light District sooner rather than later

The city of Amsterdam wants to make haste with its efforts to clean up its world-famous Red Light District.

Reportedly within three years it plans to start expropriating property owners who refuse to close their brothels, Dutch press agency ANP reports. To make this possible the city will soon change the zoning plan for the district. So says Pierre van Rossum, who heads up Project 1012.

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Full article: Political party: Amsterdammers have the right to be intoxicated

Amsterdam should have a more liberal drugs policy, says the local chapter of Dutch political party GroenLinks (GreenLeft).

In the concept of its campaign for next year's town council elections, GroenLinks makes a case for a marijuana growing operation overseen by the City of Amsterdam. A handful of growers must be permitted to supply the product -- provided they use ecological farming methods.

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