Netherlands to Close Cannabis Cafes to Tourists

  AMSTERDAM, So far, the Netherlands became a haven for marijuana enthusiasts because it allows the use and sale of marijuana. That applies not only to nationals, the Netherlands, but also for foreign tourists.
Marijuana with various shapes can be easily found in the Netherlands. Even in Amsterdam, various souvenir picture of marijuana leaves were scattered in various stores.

  However, "tourism marijuana" was soon changed with the enactment of new legislation announced last week. The Dutch government immediately banned foreigners buying cannabis in coffee shops. For Netherlands, cannabis consumption rules would be tightened.

  In the new law, the coffee shop will operate as private clubs whose membership is limited to only 1,500 people. To become a member was not easy because a person must WN Netherlands and aged adults. Membership is at least one year.

  "In an effort to overcome the disorder and crime associated with the coffee shop and drug trafficking, an open door policy for the coffee shop will soon be over," said a joint statement the Ministry of Health and Minister of Justice in the Dutch parliament last week.

  For starters, the law was imposed in three provinces, namely Limburg, Noord Brabant, and Zeeland, later this year. Next year, other provinces followed.

  The Netherlands is one country that has a policy of tolerance towards drug use, particularly marijuana. Marijuana with various shapes can be easily found. Even in Amsterdam, various souvenir picture of marijuana leaves were scattered in a number of stores. Not surprisingly, this has become a tourist attraction in itself.

  In recent years, the behavior of drug-related crime continues to rise. With the support of political leaders the right line, the ruling coalition government last year announced restrictions on cannabis tour some of the program to promote health and fight crime.

  City of Maastricht even have to close the coffee shops for tourists because of various acts of crime and disorder, while Roosendaal and Bergen op Zoom even been close.

  Some have worried that new legislation would threaten tourism Netherlands, especially Amsterdam, where there are about 220 cafes that provide marijuana. Amsterdam city council enacting laws against it.

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