Dutch Coffee Shop Owners Relaxed Over Smoking Ban

[Puffin13]

Dutch Coffee Shop Owners Relaxed Over Smoking Ban

AMSTERDAM (Reuters) - When a smoking ban comes into force in the Netherlands next Tuesday, it may kill the buzz for people who like to smoke their cannabis with tobacco. But some owners of the famous Dutch coffee shops are staying mellow.

Fittingly, in a land renowned for its relaxed attitude to drug laws, the new rules contain a few loopholes.

People will still be able to smoke pure cannabis joints in around 700 coffee shops, something some tourists -- notably from the United States -- already often do.

Also, restaurants, cafes and coffee shops will be allowed to set up a separate room or glass partition behind which people can smoke. But customers will not be served in these areas to protect staff.

This dispensation makes the Dutch law more relaxed than smoking restrictions in some other European countries where smoking is banned completely in bars, restaurants and other public spaces.

Arjam Roskam, who owns the Green House coffee shop in Amsterdam, is not worried.

His marijuana strains have won 31 Cannabis Cup prizes over the years and he counts Hollywood celebrities, members of Europe's royal families, lawyers, judges and police officers among his clients.

"The English, Americans and Japanese are our biggest customers. Already for a very, very long time they don't smoke tobacco because tobacco is the number one killer on this planet," he said. "We don't mind the smoking ban."

Many smokers mix marijuana with tobacco but it can also be smoked on its own in joints, pipes, vaporizers and other devices, or eaten in cakes and cookies.

Under the new law, cutting cannabis with tobacco could land coffee shop owners with a fine of up to 2,400 euros ($3,778).

Soft drugs are officially banned in the Netherlands but under a policy of tolerance, buyers are allowed to have less than 5 grams of cannabis in their possession.

Small quantities are sold in coffee shops, making the usually small and cozy venues big attractions for tourists.

Despite Roskam's comments, for some of these visitors, a joint is not a joint without tobacco.

"We come (to Amsterdam) just for the coffee shops, three to five times a year," said Briton Barry Johnson, who was lounging in the Green House coffee shop with a friend.

"I don't smoke pure marijuana as it is too strong for me, it makes me sleepy," he said. "I definitely won't come back if mixed joints are not allowed."

Michael Veling, spokesman for the Cannabis Retail Association which represents some 110 coffee shops mainly in Amsterdam and surrounding areas, did not think the ban would greatly affect his business as most of his customers bought cannabis to take home.

He said only about two dozen of his members had created separate spaces for tobacco smokers, adding that he would not: "I don't see the benefits of it."

Western Europe is the world's largest market for cannabis resin and Europe is the second-largest global market for cocaine, the United Nations International Narcotics Control Board said in March.

According to the Netherlands Institute of Mental Health and Addiction, the number of people using cannabis, cocaine and ecstasy has remained fairly stable in recent years, with users making up about 3-5 percent of a population of 16 million.

The Dutch drug-related death rate is low compared with other EU countries, it said in its 2007 report.

The Dutch health ministry said it did not think the smoking ban would lead to more drug-related problems by driving more people to smoke cannabis-only joints.

"People can still smoke tobacco mixed with cannabis in coffee shops but only in a closed area where employees cannot serve them," said ministry spokeswoman Saskia Hommes.

"Maybe the smokers have to travel a bit more to find a coffee shop with a closed area," she said.

The watchdog Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says it has a squad of about 200 inspectors ready to enforce the ban.

"They are trained for the job," says spokesman Bob Kiel, adding inspectors will be able to tell the difference between a mixed or pure joint from its smell and appearance.

News Hawk: User: http://www.420magazine.com/
Source: Reuters
Copyright: 2008 Reuters
Contact: http://reuters-en.custhelp.com/
Website:Dutch coffee shop owners relaxed over smoking ban | Reuters

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[Themindwanders]

I don't care what anyone says it's a ridiculous law, completely absurd (regarding the coffeeshops) I'm not against it in restaurants, train stations, public transport and all these places but smoking bars? It is stupid. In England I also think that some pubs should be allowed to be smoking bars- at the landlords discretion. I think people would be surprised at how many places would be still smoke free- but we would have that CHOICE.
That's C-H-O-I-C-E. I guarantee there would be more places to go for non-smokers and people who can't tolerate it - only a few here and there would adopt smoking rooms, but at least they'd have that freedom to run their own business how they want.

"It could prove to be a positive thing. Maybe now people who would otherwise spend all day in a coffeeshop will find something else to do" - The Dutch health minister

Fucking parasitical, faeces eating leech! I spent a lot of my day yesterday in a coffeeshoop- reading a book - this is my right - it is sickening to see the religious ghouls that are the Dutch government begin to implement methods designed to interfere in my fucking life.I sincerely hope the health minister gets eaten by wild, bloodthirsty wolves and is left to rot on the road side somewhere. What business is it of his how some people spend their day?! Go Fucking die- hang yourself, suck on an exhaust - just die you skunk.

[axeman9]

Great article.

I was wondering though, could you still smoke tobacco in joints sat outside a c/shop? For instance Ricks, G.house, Green Place, Hill St Blues (Nieuwmarkt) etc.

Im gonna do my best to smoke pure while im there.

[Themindwanders]

Yeah you can still smoke outside- thank the lord. There are few places with good spots - notably Amnesia which also has great weed and great staff. Ricks has a good spot too - like that place. We shall be fighting over outside seats soon enough - i'll be there first so there!