The new laws of the country were passed recently and there was no mention at a national level about any changes to the rather Grey area that exists that is the law in relation to MJ/Coffeeshops, and the rest of it. I was in my local when an Isreali TV crew came in to interview my friend. They were also asking about this subject. When I get the link I'll post it up.
But bottom line is that due to no changes at national level, it means each individual Council has to decide if they want to do such things in their own region. Of course the main tourist attraction of Amsterdam and the Noord-Holland Region are not going to implement such a stupid thing. Politicians from the Christian Democratic Party (right wing) don't want drug tourism. But also don't realise that most people do not just come here to have a smoke (I know there are some people who do), and that the drug tourism side is the same as people going for a drink, a glass of wine (which if course is oh so acceptable).
The city, and govt can effectively walk into every coffeeshop tomorrow and close them down, that his how much of a thin line there is, and that has always been the case. It has just become more regulated as far as who gets a license to do it. Ultimately nothing is going to change in a hurry, there are some coffeeshops in Amsterdam where you have to become a member to sit inside and enjoy a smoke, but they still sell weed through a glassed of section at the front door. These places are doing that mainly due to security though as recently there have been a few armed raids on the shops.
So if you lot want to come and visit our beautiful Parks, enjoy our Waterways, and overdose on Classics and Masterpieces of art, you'll be safe in the knowledge that after doing all that knackering site seeing and guzzling down of culture, nipping off to hae a fatty is no gonnae be oot o' the question!
Peace, DST
DST is it true about holland bringing in the membership cards for the coffee shops to keep foreign visitors and non members out ? if it is i think amsterdam will really suffer? is this going to be carried out through out the whole of holland ?