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: 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: Drug offenses discovered at Amsterdam grow shops

Drug offences have been encountered at four of Amsterdam's nineteen grow-shops.

In 2009 at the behest of then mayor Job Cohen three grow-shops were closed for violations of the Opium Act. That has inspired authorities to take a closer look.

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Full article: Dutch among lowest cannabis users in Europe

The Dutch are among the lowest users of marijuana or cannabis in Europe despite the Netherlands' well-known tolerance of the drug, Reuters writes, citing an annual report by the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction.

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Full article: Marijuana Is In, Tobacco Is Out Under Netherlands’ Smoking Ban

Local pot smokers, who usually cut joints with tobacco, and owners of the ``coffee shops'' where they are allowed to light up will have to change their habits when the nation implements the indoor tobacco ban. Puffing a pure marijuana cigarette in public will still be permitted; smoking one with tobacco will merit coffee shop owners a 300-euro ($466) fine for the first offense and 2,400 euros for a fourth.

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Full article: How will the July 1, 2008 smoking ban affect Amsterdam’s coffee shops?

On July 1, 2008, a smoking ban will come into effect in all horeca (hotel, restaurant, and catering) businesses in the Netherlands. Will the smoking ban make it illegal to light up in an Amsterdam coffee shop? Yes and no. Among other things, it depends on what you want to smoke. Read on. You may be surprised.

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Full article: Dutch Cannabis more expensive, lower THC, but high quality

The price of Dutch Cannabis has risen by 20 percent over the past year.

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Full article: Gedogen — illegal but not illegal

Gedogen is a Dutch word that, in essence, means something is illegal but not illegal.

Amsterdam Tourist Information