Crack down on soft drugs

[Puffin13]

Crack down on soft drugs

Marijuana plant The Netherlands' soft drugs policy has become a famous—or infamous—aspect of its international image as a free, liberal country. But that may come to an end, now that a government commission has decided the policy should be changed.

A strictly monitored supply of soft drugs to coffeeshops, sold only to local customers, should help in controlling the use of soft drugs in the Netherlands, said the commission's report, published on Thursday.

The relaxed policy on cannabis and other soft drugs should be made much stricter, in order to limit negative side effects such as drugs tourism and organised crime.

Smaller coffeeshops
The easygoing policy on drugs and coffeeshops has grown over the past thirty years but, according to Wim van de Donk, who presided over the commission, the policy doesn’t work anymore. “It has gone too far,” the report said.

“We need to return to smaller coffeeshops that only serve local customers.” This would mean an end to drug tourism, where clients come from far afield to buy soft drugs.

Supply
One of the main problems that Dutch coffeeshops have to deal with is their goods supply. Although the sale of soft drugs is permitted, growing and supplying them remain illegal. The report acknowledges that this is an almost impossible situation; the supply should be allowed under strict rules.

The commission also sees possibilities for regulating the of growing cannabis and other soft drugs. This would sideline organised crime, which currently plays a major role in the growing of (illegal) cannabis. Only regulated, Dutch-grown soft drugs should be allowed for sale in coffeeshops, the commission said.

Closing coffeeshops is not an option, van de Donk stated: “We need action, not boarding up.”

Negative effects
The report was commissioned by the Dutch government, after city councils in the south of the Netherlands expressed their growing doubts over the current relaxed drugs policy. Cities like Maastricht, Bergen op Zoom and Terneuzen—all close to the Belgian border—have endured the negative effects of heavy drugs tourism, attracting people from Belgium, France and Germany, where the sale of soft drugs is prohibited.

The commission also calls for an independent drugs authority to control the soft drugs market and to monitor future changes in drug policies. Police should work more coherently to combat organised crime related to drugs.

Johan van Slooten
Radio Netherlands
Source

[doobydave]

Can this commission give an indication as to why the black market for cannabis will not continue to flourish if the unsatisfied demand is still there?

[Hammy]

Basic economics: a heavily regulated market is not as efficient as a free market with unlimited profit incentives. Therefore by regulating the coffeeshops further efficiency falls, profits fall and so tax revenue falls.

A very intelligent thing to do with the current economic situation: cut tax revenue. Political spin never ceases to amaze me.

[Kingdoc]

Basic economics: a heavily regulated market is not as efficient as a free market with unlimited profit incentives. Therefore by regulating the coffeeshops further efficiency falls, profits fall and so tax revenue falls.

A very intelligent thing to do with the current economic situation: cut tax revenue. Political spin never ceases to amaze me.

Yea we have heard this before! the sun newspaper ran such a story around 4 years ago now,Also my guess is its near election time hence them making noises on this issue (again),On the other hand it may well happen yet but untill i hear stuff more concrete i am not gona take it to serious.