Legal Marijuana Debated in the Netherlands
April 27, 2005 Copyright: 2005 The Jerusalem Post

Amsterdam, Netherlands -- Two polls released Wednesday showed strong support in the Netherlands for legalizing marijuana outright after several decades of a tolerance policy. Newspaper Trouw interviewed the mayors of the Netherlands' 30 largest cities, and two-thirds supported legalization.

The mayors were in line with Minister Pechtold, who sparked controversy earlier this week when he came out in support of the European-wide legalisation of cannabis cultivation.

Utrecht Mayor Annie Brouwer pointed to current fire risks, tension in residential area and the illegal tapping of electricity as reason for setting up a regulated cannabis industry.

The current policy of tolerating the sale of cannabis but outlawing its cultivation has led to criticism that the regulations are contradictory.

Meanwhile, Dutch pollster Maurice de Hond found that 49% Dutch support legalization, while an additional 15% want tolerance to continue, and just 33%  want a more restrictive policy. (margin of error +/- 3%).

Marijuana is technically illegal in the Netherlands, though people aren't prosecuted for possession of small amounts. It is sold openly in some cafes.

The latest polls follow a call Tuesday by the minister of reform to license more marijuana sellers outside cities to ease problems caused by foreign drug tourists in city centers.

Parliament is to debate the issue later Wednesday.

In Trouw's survey, 20 mayors said they wanted so-called soft drugs hashish and marijuana to be legalized. Four supported tougher measures proposed by the conservative government, including restricting the number of licensed sellers and increasing penalties for growers. Six mayors had no opinion or could not be contacted.

"Something has to happen, otherwise we're going to go crazy here," Jan Mans, mayor of the eastern border city of Venlo, told the paper.

Many Germans drive across the border into Venlo to buy hash and marijuana.

"Why not do a trial with legalizing soft drugs in the border region? With the results, we can no doubt show Europe that it works," Mans said.

HempPharm.com comment; No pun intented, we couldn't make this up ourselves "Marijuana in the Netherlands" (from the Netherworld... HempWorld) We have read some background on this since we are Dutch ourselves: Legalization or regulated sales and production of Marijuana is imminent in the Netherlands. The only thing that needs to be done is a proper discussion without bad science (lies). It must be noted that this discussion was started by a former mayor (now minister) Pechtold of Wageningen also a border city with Germany. Experience has taught Mr. Pechtold that getting rid of the black market i.e. regulation is the only way to civilize the industry, city and country.