Editing Drug policy of the Netherlands (section)

==Developments from 2003–2015==
{{Psychedelic sidebar}}
The liberal drug policy of the authorities in the Netherlands especially led to problems in "border hot spots" that attracted "[[drug tourism]]" as well as trafficking and related law enforcement problems in towns like [[Enschede]] in the East and [[Terneuzen]], [[Venlo]], [[Maastricht]] and [[Heerlen]] in the South. In 2006, [[Gerd Leers]], then mayor of the border city of Maastricht, on the Dutch-Belgian border, criticised the current policy as inconsistent, by recording a song with the Dutch punk rock band [[De Heideroosjes]]. By allowing possession and retail sales of cannabis, but not cultivation or wholesale, the government creates numerous problems of crime and public safety, he alleges, and therefore he would like to switch to either legalising and regulating production, or to the full repression that his party ([[Christen-Democratisch Appèl|CDA]]) officially advocates. The latter suggestion has widely been interpreted as rhetorical.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.maastricht.nl/maastricht/show/id=160045|title=Home - maastrichtportal|access-date=2005-12-19|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060215054728/http://www.maastricht.nl/maastricht/show/id=160045|archive-date=2006-02-15|url-status=dead}}</ref> Leers's comments have garnered support from other local authorities and put the cultivation issue back on the agenda.

In November 2008, [[Pieter van Geel]], the leader of the [[Christian Democratic Appeal|CDA]] (Christian Democrats) in the Dutch parliament, called for a ban on the cafés where cannabis is sold. He said the practice of allowing so-called coffeeshops to operate had failed. The CDA had the support of its smaller coalition partner, the [[ChristianUnion|CU]] (ChristenUnie), but the third party in government, [[Dutch Labour Party|PvdA]] (Labour), opposed. The coalition agreement worked out by the three coalition parties in 2007 stated that there would be no change in the policy of tolerance. Prominent CDA member Gerd Leers spoke out against him: cannabis users who now cause no trouble would be viewed as criminals if an outright ban was to be implemented. Van Geel later said that he respected the coalition agreement and would not press for a ban during the current government's tenure.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nrc.nl/international/article2055680.ece/More_pressure_on_cannabis_coffee_shops |title=More pressure on cannabis coffeeshops |publisher=Nrc.nl |access-date=2011-04-20 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090720015719/http://www.nrc.nl/international/article2055680.ece/More_pressure_on_cannabis_coffee_shops |archive-date=2009-07-20 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

27 ''coffeeshops'' selling cannabis in [[Rotterdam]], all within 200 metres from schools, were ordered to close down by 2009. This was nearly half of the ''coffeeshops'' that operated within its municipality. This was due to the new policy of city mayor Ivo Opstelten and the town council.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/06/22/AR2007062202015_pf.html |title=Washington Post Changing Patterns in Social Fabric Test Netherlands |work=The Washington Post |date=2007-06-22 |access-date=2011-04-20 |archive-date=15 November 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171115015246/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/06/22/AR2007062202015_pf.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The higher levels of the active ingredient in cannabis in Netherlands create a growing opposition to the traditional Dutch view of cannabis as a relatively innocent soft drug.<ref>[http://www.jellinek.nl/nieuws/nieuwsartikel/79 Steeds meer tieners zoeken hulp voor wietverslaving 2007] {{webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20120524203854/http://www.jellinek.nl/nieuws/nieuwsartikel/79 |date=2012-05-24 }}</ref> Supporters of ''coffeeshops'' state that such claims are often exaggerated and ignore the fact that higher content means a user needs to use less of the plant to get the desired effects, making it in effect safer.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.erowid.org/plants/cannabis/cannabis_myth2.shtml|title=Erowid Cannabis Vault : Exposing Marijuana Myths|access-date=15 January 2009|archive-date=1 February 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090201020953/http://www.erowid.org/plants/cannabis/cannabis_myth2.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref> Dutch research has however shown that an increase of THC content also increase the occurrence of impaired psychomotor skills, particularly among younger or inexperienced cannabis smokers, who do not adapt their smoking-style to the higher THC content.<ref>{{Cite journal|author=Tj. T. Mensinga|url=http://www.rivm.nl/bibliotheek/rapporten/267002002.pdf|title=A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, cross-over study on the pharmacokinetics and effects of cannabis|publisher=[[RIVM]]|access-date=2007-09-21|display-authors=etal|archive-date=17 December 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081217121306/http://www.rivm.nl/bibliotheek/rapporten/267002002.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> Closing of ''coffeeshops'' is not unique to Rotterdam. Many other towns have done the same in the last 10 years.

In 2008, the municipality of [[Utrecht (city)|Utrecht]] imposed a [[Zero tolerance|Zero Tolerance]] Policy to all events like the big dance party [[Trance Energy]] held in Jaarbeurs. However, such zero-tolerance policy at dance parties are now becoming common in the Netherlands and are even stricter in cities like [[Arnhem]].

The two towns [[Roosendaal]] and [[Bergen op Zoom]] announced in October 2008 that they would start closing all ''coffeeshops'', each week visited by up to 25,000 French and Belgian drug tourists, with closures beginning in February 2009.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/10/24/2400900.htm |title=AFP: Dutch towns close coffeeshops in 'drug tourists' crackdown, Oct 24, 2008 |publisher=ABC News|location=Australia |date=2008-10-24 |access-date=2011-04-20 |archive-date=25 July 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100725031700/http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/10/24/2400900.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nrc.nl/international/Features/article2035693.ece/Selling_soft_drugs_is_not_a_right_even_in_the_Netherlands |title=Selling soft drugs is not a right even in the Netherlands |publisher=Nrc.nl |access-date=2011-04-20 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081222031307/http://www.nrc.nl/international/Features/article2035693.ece/Selling_soft_drugs_is_not_a_right_even_in_the_Netherlands |archive-date=2008-12-22 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

In May 2011 the Dutch government announced that tourist are to be banned from Dutch coffeeshops, starting in the southern provinces and at the end of 2011 in the rest of the country. In a letter to the parliament, the Dutch health and justice ministers said that, "In order to tackle the nuisance and criminality associated with coffeeshops and drug trafficking, the open-door policy of coffeeshops will end".<ref name="tourism">{{cite web| url = http://uk.news.yahoo.com/tourists-face-weed-ban-dutch-coffee-shops-023932774.html| title = Tourists Face Weed Ban In Dutch Coffee Shops, Sky News, May 28, 2011| access-date = 28 May 2011| archive-date = 1 June 2011| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110601034030/http://uk.news.yahoo.com/tourists-face-weed-ban-dutch-coffee-shops-023932774.html| url-status = live}}</ref>

A government committee delivered in June 2011 a report about Cannabis to the Dutch government. It includes a proposal that cannabis with more than 15 percent THC should be labeled as hard drugs.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://universonline.nl/en/2011/06/27/garretsen-qualify-strong-cannabis-as-hard-drugs/|title=Garretsen: qualify strong cannabis as hard drugs - Univers|work=Univers|access-date=28 June 2011|archive-date=13 February 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120213170401/http://universonline.nl/en/2011/06/27/garretsen-qualify-strong-cannabis-as-hard-drugs/|url-status=dead}}</ref> Higher concentrations of [[THC]] and [[drug tourism]] have challenged the current policy and led to a re-examination of the current approach; e.g. ban of all sales of cannabis to tourists in [[Coffeehouse|coffeeshop]]s from end of 2011 was proposed but currently only the border city of Maastricht has adopted the measure in order to test out its feasibility.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-15134669 | publisher=BBC News | title=Maastricht bans cannabis coffee-shop tourists | date=2011-10-01 | access-date=20 June 2018 | archive-date=10 April 2018 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180410013721/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-15134669 | url-status=live }}</ref> According to the initial measure, starting in 2012, each coffeeshop was to operate like a private club with some 1,000 to 1,500 members. In order to qualify for a membership card, applicants would have to be adult Dutch citizens, membership was only to be allowed in one club.<ref name="theatlanticwire">{{cite news
|url=http://www.theatlanticwire.com/global/2011/05/amsterdam-ban-pot-sales-tourists/38248/
|title=Amsterdam Will Ban Tourists from Pot Coffee Shops
|work=Atlantic Wire
|access-date=2011-06-23
|date=27 May 2011
|archive-date=26 December 2018
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181226021612/https://www.theatlantic.com/global/2011/05/amsterdam-ban-pot-sales-tourists/38248/%20
|url-status=dead
}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.iamexpat.nl/read-and-discuss/expat-page/news/coffee-shops-turn-into-private-clubs-for-locals|title=Coffee shops turn into private clubs for locals|work=IamExpat|access-date=30 December 2012|archive-date=30 December 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121230185230/http://www.iamexpat.nl/read-and-discuss/expat-page/news/coffee-shops-turn-into-private-clubs-for-locals|url-status=live}}</ref>

In Amsterdam 26 coffeeshops in the [[De Wallen]] area were ordered to close their doors between 1 September 2012 and 31 August 2015.<ref>{{in lang|nl}} [https://archive.today/20120724034533/http://www.amsterdam.nl/@448683/pagina/ Straatgerichte aanpak], Website of the municipality Amsterdam</ref>

A Dutch judge has ruled that tourists can legally be banned from entering cannabis cafés, as part of new restrictions which come into force in 2012.<ref>{{cite news |title=Dutch cannabis café owners fight changes |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-17865663 |publisher=BBC |date=2012-04-27 |access-date=20 June 2018 |archive-date=25 October 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191025120422/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-17865663 |url-status=live }}</ref>

A study conducted by the European Monitoring Centre of Drugs and Drug Addiction report that 25.3% of Irish people smoked cannabis at some stage in their life, and 25.7% of Dutch people have tried cannabis.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.thejournal.ie/irish-smoke-as-much-marijuanaas-the-dutch-927580-may2013/|title=Irish smoke as much marijuana as the Dutch|date=28 May 2013|access-date=25 November 2016|archive-date=26 November 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161126001815/http://www.thejournal.ie/irish-smoke-as-much-marijuanaas-the-dutch-927580-may2013/|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Law banning "magic mushrooms"===
[[File:Paddo products Warmoesstraat Amsterdam april 2007.JPG|thumb|Different [[Psychedelics, dissociatives and deliriants|entheogenic]] [[mushroom]]s on display in [[Amsterdam]], [[Netherlands]] in 2007]]

In October 2007, the prohibition of [[psychedelics, dissociatives and deliriants|hallucinogenic]] or "[[Psilocybin mushrooms|magic mushrooms]]" was announced by the Dutch authorities.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/10/12/AR2007101202239.html |title=Dutch Declare Hallucinogenic Mushrooms Illegal |work=The Washington Post |date=2007-10-13 |access-date=2011-04-20 |first=Toby |last=Sterling |archive-date=6 February 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180206190259/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/10/12/AR2007101202239.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/netherlands-imposes-total-ban-on-magic-mushrooms-396774.html |title=Netherlands imposes total ban on 'magic' mushrooms |work=The Independent|date=2007-10-13 |access-date=2011-04-20 |location=London |first=James |last=MacIntyre |archive-date=6 February 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180206131514/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/netherlands-imposes-total-ban-on-magic-mushrooms-396774.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

On 25 April 2008, the Dutch government, backed by a majority of members of parliament, decided to ban cultivation and use of all magic mushrooms. Amsterdam mayor [[Job Cohen]] proposed a three-day cooling period in which clients would be informed three days before actually procuring the mushrooms and if they would still like to go through with it they could pick up their spores from the smart shop.<ref>{{cite web |agency=Agence France-Presse |url=http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5iEADgdtkZqEa5Fll7Vf4IMMhnhBg |title=Netherlands to ban 'magic mushrooms' |date=2008-04-25 |access-date=2011-04-20 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121006071745/http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5iEADgdtkZqEa5Fll7Vf4IMMhnhBg |archive-date=2012-10-06 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7369431.stm |title=Dutch bill to ban magic mushrooms |publisher=BBC News |date=2008-04-26 |access-date=2011-04-20 |archive-date=30 April 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080430105610/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7369431.stm |url-status=live }}</ref>
The ban has been considered a retreat from liberal drug policies.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/10/12/europe/EU-GEN-Netherlands-Magic-Mushrooms.php |title=Dutch Cabinet bans sale of hallucinogenic mushrooms in new retreat from liberal policies |newspaper=International Herald Tribune |date=2007-10-12 |access-date=2011-04-20}}</ref> This followed a few deadly incidents mostly involving tourists.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.simplyamsterdam.nl/news/French_tourist_in_Amsterdam_commits_suicide_after_using_magic_mushrooms.htm |title=French tourist in Amsterdam commits suicide after using 'magic mushrooms' |publisher=Simplyamsterdam.nl |date=2007-03-27 |access-date=2011-04-20}}</ref> These deaths were not directly caused by the use of the drug ''per se'', but by deadly accidents occurring while under the influence of magic mushrooms.

As of 1 December 2008, all psychedelic mushrooms are banned.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.reddepaddo.nl/|title=Mushplanet|access-date=2008-09-02|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080808214704/http://reddepaddo.nl/|archive-date=2008-08-08|url-status=dead}}</ref> However, [[Magic truffle|sclerotia]] (what are termed as "truffles" and which have similar effects to magic mushrooms), mushroom spores, and active mycellium cultures<ref>[http://www.shamantar.com/about-truffles.html About Magic Truffles] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121201064119/http://www.shamantar.com/about-truffles.html |date=2012-12-01 }} Shamantar.com</ref> remain legal and are readily available in "[[Smart shop|smartshops]]", which are urban stores that sell legal drugs, herbs and related gadgets.

===Supply control===
The relatively recent increase in the cocaine trafficking business has been largely focused on the Caribbean area. Since early 2003, a special law court with prison facilities has been operational at Schiphol airport. Since the beginning of 2005, there has been 100% control of all flights from key countries in the Caribbean. In 2004, an average of 290 drug couriers per month were arrested, decreasing to 80 per month by early 2006.<ref name="emcddaP">[http://www.emcdda.europa.eu/html.cfm/index41522EN.html EMCDDA: Policies and laws] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081013203121/http://www.emcdda.europa.eu/html.cfm/index41522EN.html |date=13 October 2008 }}</ref>