So the Weed pass thing? and your thoughts?

[Twichaldinho]

Where is joosy now? Where are all you fuckers slagging me off for wanting to talk about it now?

Cock..... Massive cock.... Mandigo size cock.
Discuss?

[Slip & Sal]

Where is joosy now? Where are all you fuckers slagging me off for wanting to talk about it now?

Cock..... Massive cock.... Mandigo size cock.
Discuss?

My point on the discussion is that I think the same of you.

[Shaggy]

If Amsterdam coffeeshops fail to comply then the authorities will simply close them down. That's exactly what the government want them to do. That was what they meant when they said it's up to local municipalities if they want to simply close them down completely. It wasn't suggesting for one minute that municpal authorities can ignore the policy. They'll be forced to comply. All of the proposed changes, the weedpass, restricted membership, thc% limits are all aimed to undermine the economics of the coffeeshop system and drive them out of business.

It's not about the Dutch government pandering to other countries of the EU. It's a policy driven by the Christian Democratic Union themselves, based on moral, Calvinistic principles. They disapprove of dope smoking and want to stop everyone doing it if they can. Period. We know that's it's nonsense, that the black market will always prevail, but that isn't going to stop them trying to get rid of it now they're in power. It's in their moral DNA. They want to remove it from Dutch society.

Appeals against the weedpass by the Southern coffeeshops won't succeed. The Dutch government's already taken the issue to European courts and know that they've got a concrete case. It's them using EU laws, not the other way round.

The CDU coalition government's long-term stated aim is to remove coffeeshops from Dutch life. As the minister responsible said months ago, the weedpass is just the first step. THC limits, restricted membership (on the first day of weedpass implementation don't be surprised if you don't see queues of CDU activists signing up in order to block coffeeshop membership and then not to use them). The coffeeshop's will be forced out of business.

And then the Dutch authorities can get rid of the toleration policy for good and do what they really want: to fight the 'war on drugs' like all the other conservative governments.

People need to start seeing the bigger picture here. The weedpass is just the tip of the iceberg. At this rate, if the CDU get elected again in 2014, the Dutch toleration policy could be gone completely within 5 years.

[Quazer]

If Amsterdam coffeeshops fail to comply then the authorities will simply close them down. That's exactly what the government want them to do. That was what they meant when they said it's up to local municipalities if they want to simply close them down completely. It wasn't suggesting for one minute that municpal authorities can ignore the policy. They'll be forced to comply. All of the proposed changes, the weedpass, restricted membership, thc% limits are all aimed to undermine the economics of the coffeeshop system and drive them out of business.

It's not about the Dutch government pandering to other countries of the EU. It's a policy driven by the Christian Democratic Union themselves, based on moral, Calvinistic principles. They disapprove of dope smoking and want to stop everyone doing it if they can. Period. We know that's it's nonsense, that the black market will always prevail, but that isn't going to stop them trying to get rid of it now they're in power. It's in their moral DNA. They want to remove it from Dutch society.

Appeals against the weedpass by the Southern coffeeshops won't succeed. The Dutch government's already taken the issue to European courts and know that they've got a concrete case. It's them using EU laws, not the other way round.

The CDU coalition government's long-term stated aim is to remove coffeeshops from Dutch life. As the minister responsible said months ago, the weedpass is just the first step. THC limits, restricted membership (on the first day of weedpass implementation don't be surprised if you don't see queues of CDU activists signing up in order to block coffeeshop membership and then not to use them). The coffeeshop's will be forced out of business.

And then the Dutch authorities can get rid of the toleration policy for good and do what they really want: to fight the 'war on drugs' like all the other conservative governments.

People need to start seeing the bigger picture here. The weedpass is just the tip of the iceberg. At this rate, if the CDU get elected again in 2014, the Dutch toleration policy could be gone completely within 5 years.

What you just wrote perfectly sums up whats wrong with the EU. It's about deciding laws above our heads. It takes away our constitutional democracy. Oh and seems that the dutch CDA is exactly the same shite as the german CDU. Then I DO know about their political program. It's fucking grim.

But hold on before you push the panic button fellas! Just because they put a fancy flyer out doesnt change reality if we wont allow them. The situation is the same as it was 3 months ago... Its a mind game.

[Shaggy]

But hold on before you push the panic button fellas! Just because they put a fancy flyer out doesnt change reality if we wont allow them. The situation is the same as it was 3 months ago... Its a mind game.

The proof of the pudding will come in just over 3 weeks' time, when the weedpass is introduced into the 3 southern provinces. If those municipalities that don't want to introduce it are indeed forced into compliance, then it's clear that so will the rest of Holland come January 1st 2013.

The rest is just my own opinion about what the weedpass is really about; that's it's just a smaller part of the CDA's grander scheme. People seem to think that the tolerance policy is somehow set in stone. It isn't. Right-wing Conservative politicians can and will change that policy if they think they can. It's primarily about their version of morality. They simply don't approve of cannabis and want to turn back the clock to the pre-tolerance days. They know now that what they need to do is undermine the economics of the coffeeshop system, and the proposals they're introducing, the weedpass, the THC limit, the hash ban, membership restrictions, registration and the like, will eventually help do that for them. It won't get rid of cannabis from Dutch life of course, because it'll simply go back underground, with all the problems prohibition brings. But they'll be happy, because in legal terms smoking cannabis will no longer be acceptable or tolerated.

[Marco]

Where is joosy now? Where are all you fuckers slagging me off for wanting to talk about it now?

Does this mean you will never visit the Netherlands again. Well, that is good news.

[Marco]

If Amsterdam coffeeshops fail to comply then the authorities will simply close them down. That's exactly what the government want them to do. That was what they meant when they said it's up to local municipalities if they want to simply close them down completely. It wasn't suggesting for one minute that municpal authorities can ignore the policy. They'll be forced to comply. All of the proposed changes, the weedpass, restricted membership, thc% limits are all aimed to undermine the economics of the coffeeshop system and drive them out of business.

It's not about the Dutch government pandering to other countries of the EU. It's a policy driven by the Christian Democratic Union themselves, based on moral, Calvinistic principles. They disapprove of dope smoking and want to stop everyone doing it if they can. Period. We know that's it's nonsense, that the black market will always prevail, but that isn't going to stop them trying to get rid of it now they're in power. It's in their moral DNA. They want to remove it from Dutch society.

Appeals against the weedpass by the Southern coffeeshops won't succeed. The Dutch government's already taken the issue to European courts and know that they've got a concrete case. It's them using EU laws, not the other way round.

The CDU coalition government's long-term stated aim is to remove coffeeshops from Dutch life. As the minister responsible said months ago, the weedpass is just the first step. THC limits, restricted membership (on the first day of weedpass implementation don't be surprised if you don't see queues of CDU activists signing up in order to block coffeeshop membership and then not to use them). The coffeeshop's will be forced out of business.

And then the Dutch authorities can get rid of the toleration policy for good and do what they really want: to fight the 'war on drugs' like all the other conservative governments.

People need to start seeing the bigger picture here. The weedpass is just the tip of the iceberg. At this rate, if the CDU get elected again in 2014, the Dutch toleration policy could be gone completely within 5 years.

What you just wrote perfectly sums up whats wrong with the EU. It's about deciding laws above our heads. It takes away our constitutional democracy. Oh and seems that the dutch CDA is exactly the same shite as the german CDU. Then I DO know about their political program. It's fucking grim.

But hold on before you push the panic button fellas! Just because they put a fancy flyer out doesnt change reality if we wont allow them. The situation is the same as it was 3 months ago... Its a mind game.

Except if has NOTHING to do with the EU at this point, especially you agree (as you write you did) with the post you quoted. The Christian Democrats have had it for Coffeeshops for ages. They are an duly elected party, with relative control over policy making. This 'power-sharing' that we see with 3 parties is exactly the Dutch type of politics that allowed for many of the positive things in this society. But the CDA is using it to their advantage now. But it is democratic imho (the will of the people).

[Quazer]

The proof of the pudding will come in just over 3 weeks' time, when the weedpass is introduced into the 3 southern provinces. If those municipalities that don't want to introduce it are indeed forced into compliance, then it's clear that so will the rest of Holland come January 1st 2013.

When you think about it that way... it looks like there is no way around the weed pass. The bigger the resistance in those 3 provinces will be, the better our chances are for the rest of the country. One question remains: What will happen to those who wont cooperate?

[Shaggy]

. One question remains: What will happen to those who wont cooperate?

The government have indicated that local municipalities will have the power to simply close them down. Otherwise civil law (municipal rules) or criminal law (legal prosecution) will be used to ensure compliance. There's no suggestion that the local councils can simply ignore those who fail to comply. the weedpass will be subject to national law, and has already been tested in EU courts.

This is how the alcohol ban, the 5g sales limit, the 500g backdoor policy, the under-18s ban is currently imposed. Why will it be any different with the weedpass, THC limit, or hash ban? Amsterdam didn't implement the alcohol ban for nearly 10 years until Government forced them to, but the Government can just use criminal law to ensure compliance with the weedpass and those other things now, simply by-passing the municipalities altogether if they wish. And they'll do this if they really want to.

For those interested here's a link describing how Amsterdam's mayor was finally forced to comply with the Government's 'no alcohol in coffeeshop's' rule, despite not wanting to:

http://amsterdam.wantedworldwide.net/ne ... shops.html

[treetop]

If Amsterdam coffeeshops fail to comply then the authorities will simply close them down. That's exactly what the government want them to do. That was what they meant when they said it's up to local municipalities if they want to simply close them down completely. It wasn't suggesting for one minute that municpal authorities can ignore the policy. They'll be forced to comply. All of the proposed changes, the weedpass, restricted membership, thc% limits are all aimed to undermine the economics of the coffeeshop system and drive them out of business.

It's not about the Dutch government pandering to other countries of the EU. It's a policy driven by the Christian Democratic Union themselves, based on moral, Calvinistic principles. They disapprove of dope smoking and want to stop everyone doing it if they can. Period. We know that's it's nonsense, that the black market will always prevail, but that isn't going to stop them trying to get rid of it now they're in power. It's in their moral DNA. They want to remove it from Dutch society.

Appeals against the weedpass by the Southern coffeeshops won't succeed. The Dutch government's already taken the issue to European courts and know that they've got a concrete case. It's them using EU laws, not the other way round.

The CDU coalition government's long-term stated aim is to remove coffeeshops from Dutch life. As the minister responsible said months ago, the weedpass is just the first step. THC limits, restricted membership (on the first day of weedpass implementation don't be surprised if you don't see queues of CDU activists signing up in order to block coffeeshop membership and then not to use them). The coffeeshop's will be forced out of business.

And then the Dutch authorities can get rid of the toleration policy for good and do what they really want: to fight the 'war on drugs' like all the other conservative governments.

People need to start seeing the bigger picture here. The weedpass is just the tip of the iceberg. At this rate, if the CDU get elected again in 2014, the Dutch toleration policy could be gone completely within 5 years.

How may I ask would the central government enforce this policy if the local authority refused to do so?

The police - nope they are local

The Army - really? Army on the steets? - nope. People like civil liberty in Holland.

Men in suits employed by the government? Maybe a new agency with a large annual spend to take coffeeshops to courts over minor municipal misdemenours?

Really?

Doubtful during a spending crisis and tough economic times.

'Government spends 50m eu on enforcing policy to stop tourists smoking pot' hardly a vote winning headline.

This doesn't wash. Unless it is a real crusade I can't see this policy ever being enforced in Amsterdam unless it becomes politically expedient to do so. At this time don't see it being a huge vote winner to enforce a policy that weakens tourism in any way.

Again depends on how much of a priority this all is and what kind of profile it has to what end in the local media.

My prediction is it will come in and everyone will panic. Lots of people will stop coming as a result and they will still sell to tourists. Business as usual.

[Uncle Ron]

Weed Pass, no Weed Pass, there is always Christiania down the road a piece from me...
...and from what I hear, lovely hash this time of year.
For those in the Western Hemisphere, if stoners in Washington and Colorado put down their gear for a day and go vote, you get to save big $$$.

As for the continuing saga, some us have seen the writing on the wall for some time.
For me, it was last year when I was told that my pass would expire on 30 April and I won't be issued another.
This was definitive enough for me, but for some out there.... reality is about to jump up and beotch slap ya a good one.
People can be in denial all they want, won't change a thing regardless how hard or for how long one believes otherwise.

Until I'm refused entry, I will continue to frequent coffee shops.
Just too easy, so I'm moving on....
Happy trails...

[NedFlanders]

i ask my question again: does the link i posted say, that the thc limit will come next year or immediatly?

[Shaggy]

How may I ask would the central government enforce this policy if the local authority refused to do so?

The police - nope they are local

The Army - really? Army on the steets? - nope. People like civil liberty in Holland.

Men in suits employed by the government? Maybe a new agency with a large annual spend to take coffeeshops to courts over minor municipal misdemenours?

Really?

Doubtful during a spending crisis and tough economic times.

'Government spends 50m eu on enforcing policy to stop tourists smoking pot' hardly a vote winning headline.

This doesn't wash. Unless it is a real crusade I can't see this policy ever being enforced in Amsterdam unless it becomes politically expedient to do so. At this time don't see it being a huge vote winner to enforce a policy that weakens tourism in any way.

Again depends on how much of a priority this all is and what kind of profile it has to what end in the local media.

My prediction is it will come in and everyone will panic. Lots of people will stop coming as a result and they will still sell to tourists. Business as usual.

Maybe the police isn't quite as locally accountable as you think. If you look at Holland's police structure they actually come under the co-direct control of the Head of the National Police Services Agency (KLPD), along with the Dutch Justice Minister, the guy directly responsible for the weedpass policy:

http://www.politie.nl/english/

"Each of the Netherlands' 25 police regions is headed by a regional police board, consisting of mayors and a chief public prosecutor. The KLPD is headed by the Minister of the Interior and Kingdom Relations (since 1 January 2000). He is responsible (with the Minister of Justice) for the overall quality of policing in the Netherlands. He also heads each of the regional police forces 'at arm's length' - meaning that he limits his interventions in principle to what is strictly necessary."

I think that gives the Minister of the Interior and Kingdom Relations power to over-rule local authorities if they think fit.

So it would be the police and prosecution services that could impose the weedpass legally, if the government really want it. Or the national Government could force the local authorities to comply with the law the same way they had to with the no alcohol rule I mentioned earlier. Amsterdam didn't want to enforce the alcohol ban then, but were forced to by national law.

[Shaggy]

i ask my question again: does the link i posted say, that the thc limit will come next year or immediatly?

It suggests here that the THC limit hasn't been imposed yet, and is just at the proposal stage, same as the hash ban:

http://www.amsterdam.info/coffee-shop-news/

[darkglobe]

Circles,myheadsgoingroundincirclesroundandroundandroundandround...