cannabisnews.com: EU Agrees Drugs Law, Dutch 'Coffee' Shops Survive EU Agrees Drugs Law, Dutch 'Coffee' Shops Survive Posted by CN Staff on November 27, 2003 at 08:06:13 PT By Marie-Louise Moller Source: Reuters Brussels -- European Union justice ministers agreed Thursday to tougher anti-drug laws, but the Netherlands said its controversial "coffee" shops -- where cannabis is openly sold and smoked -- would survive. After more than two years of negotiations and a long-running dispute between the Netherlands and Sweden and France, the EU ministers provisionally backed harmonizing national laws to make the bloc more efficient in the fight against illegal drugs. The laws cover all types of drug-dealing, ranging from local networks to large-scale international operations. However, Dutch Justice Minister Piet Hein Donner said his country's policy of allowing the use and sale of cannabis in the strictly controlled coffee shops would remain in place. Under the agreed rules, offering, selling or producing drugs should be sanctioned with maximum jail terms of at least one to three years. In cases involving large-scale international drug trafficking sanctions should be at least five to 10 years. The agreement was held up because Paris and Stockholm wanted tough jail terms for minor offences, a move opposed by Amsterdam because of its policy of tolerating the use and sale of so-called "soft drugs" such as cannabis. Sweden also demanded the Netherlands close the coffee shops, where people for over 30 years have been able to buy and smoke cannabis without fearing repercussions from the police. A compromise was reached after the Netherlands agreed to increase its sanctions for the possession of small quantities to a year from one month. Member states also agreed on a declaration stressing the importance of fighting drug tourism. Donner said the deal would not affect Dutch rules on coffee shops. "We have a situation where in certain conditions we will not prosecute and these conditions are kept very strictly," he told Reuters. "This decision does not cover that policy." Donner said his government was considering rules under which coffee shops would only be allowed to sell soft drugs to Dutch residents to meet its obligation to dissuade tourists from going to Amsterdam for drugs. Drug use inside the EU has been stabilizing after years of rising sharply, according to surveys by the EU's drugs monitoring agency in Lisbon. According to a report from 2002, about 25-30 percent of adults in Denmark and Britain had used cannabis at least once. Amphetamines, cocaine and ecstasy have been used by one to five percent of people in the countries surveyed. But in the 10 countries in central and Eastern Europe, joining the EU next May, drug use has been increasing sharply, as they move from being only transit areas for the shipment of drugs to the EU to becoming new lucrative markets. The EU's executive Commission was asked to evaluate the laws three years after they come into force to ensure they are functioning as intended. The laws enter into force 18 months after being formally approved by ministers. Source: ReutersAuthor: Marie-Louise Moller Published: November 27, 2003Copyright: Reuters Limited Related Articles:Dutch Celebrate 30 Years of Legal Pothttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread14861.shtml First Dutch Cannabis Cafe Marks 30th Anniversaryhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread14853.shtmlMarijuana Now Legal in Dutch Pharmacies http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread15747.shtml Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #11 posted by BGreen on April 01, 2004 at 03:26:44 PT Yah, diener Some of us have spent many hours in the Dutch Coffeeshops. The truth doesn't matter to those in power in amerika.Do us all a favor and keep fighting for freedom in the Netherlands! I have never experienced true freedom to be myself in my own country. I have to travel to the Netherlands to be free.The Reverend Bud Green [ Post Comment ] Comment #10 posted by diener on April 01, 2004 at 03:16:13 PT: drug-thing As a Dutchman i would like to say something about the drug-issue. In Holland, weed is sold in coffeeshops only. These coffeeshops have strict regulations to follow. They can only have a trade-supply of 500 grams, they can only sell to people older than 18, and no more than 5 grams per person. These are just some of the rules coffeeshopowners have to follow. If people wouldn't buy drugs in the coffeeshop, they would buy it on the streets. The coffeeshops guarentee good quality and make sure their clients aren't smoking crap. It's a fact that people will go on smoking weed. And the Dutchman aren't even the biggest pot-smokers in the European Union. The biggest pot smokers are the Danish, followed by the English, French and on the 4th spot the Dutch. Why don't legalise it, people will smoke it anyway. [ Post Comment ] Comment #9 posted by Ferre on November 28, 2003 at 19:52:14 PT: btw... Hehe, Donner has mentioned this :"Donner said his government was considering rules under which coffee shops would only be allowed to sell soft drugs to Dutch residents to meet its obligation to dissuade tourists from going to Amsterdam for drugs."This is what he also sayd before in Germany, The Dutch government isn't "considering" this at all, it is just one of his idiot idea's and attempt to please the right wing European governments. In Holland we laugh about this kind of bullshit. What is his idea? Creating a new Dutch criminal? The one who will buy weed for tourists? Hehe, the dude is soo stupid. Amsterdam Cannabis Ministry [ Post Comment ] Comment #8 posted by Ferre on November 28, 2003 at 19:36:46 PT: Donner is full of crap! Donner, our justice minister is full of crap and this is another example of his sneeky ways of trying to get those idiot new European laws/rules through our parliament. The dude is a looser who is desperately trying to get some respect from Europarliament members as he can't show his face in his own country no more. The man has made himself very unpopular here in the Netherlands becouse of his brown nosing the American DEA and his secret agreements with the American government. We don't like the creep at all and his political days are counted.We, the Dutch people, will never allowe such laws, Donner is a fool who needs to get back down to earth. Amsterdam THC-Ministry [ Post Comment ] Comment #7 posted by rchandar on November 28, 2003 at 15:18:52 PT: coffeeshops survive EU constitution the war on drugs will not go unchallenged, and never will...we will fight them, and we will make them see the wisdom of dropping their insane persecution of the innocent and the powerless...though i myself do not have a great voice, i too will fight for the freedom to smoke cannabis......and ignorant politicians will never destroy our dreams and our love. smoke in peace. legalize it."a pipe of kif before breakfast gives a man the strength of a hundred camels in the courtyard" --Paul Bowles, 1960, Tangier, Morocco.they're thinking it'll go away, but we're here to stay. print that, it's a failed institution for that, fighting fools with formulas and trash, they can...kiss my ass! tough talking never leads to nothing but death, the misery of millions dangles from their pen, the obvious--that's what we're saying, drop the superstition, that's my intuition, legalize it! all over the world!(original) [ Post Comment ] Comment #6 posted by rchandar on November 28, 2003 at 09:18:23 PT: "coffee shops" survive hi--these are only proposed changes which would have to pass the Dutch parliament; they are not law. Neither the possession sanctions nor the tourist ban are law, so remember that.I talked to D66 and they assure me this legislation won't make it through parliament. Peace. --rchandar [ Post Comment ] Comment #5 posted by jose melendez on November 27, 2003 at 16:18:26 PT ! different reporting from:http://interestalert.com/brand/siteia.shtml?Story=st/sn/11270000aaa015a2.upi&Sys=siteia&Fid=WORLDNEW&Type=News&Filter=World%20NewsDutch potheads keep 'coffee' shops BRUSSELS, Nov. 27 (UPI) -- Holland will be allowed to keep its "coffee" shops, where marijuana is openly sold and smoked, under a new European Union drugs control law. Justice ministers from the 15 EU member states agreed Thursday to harmonize their national drug laws, and drug traffickers across Europe will face 1-3 years in prison for producing or distributing drugs, including cannabis, coca and opium plants. But individual countries are allowed to set their own national rules on personal consumption of drugs, providing a loophole for Holland's famed "coffee" cafes. But only Dutch residents with identity cards will be allowed to use the cannabis cafes.Dutch justice minister Piet Hein Donner said his government would restrict coffee shop owners from selling soft drugs to non-residents, in order to combat drug tourists. Copyright 2003 by United Press International. All rights reserved. fight real crime [ Post Comment ] Comment #4 posted by jose melendez on November 27, 2003 at 15:43:16 PT npr clip here's how npr covered this story. I did not catch the whole clip, but you can listen here:http://dvdeland.com/mp3/dutchInsist.mov . . . but the dutch justice minister says his nation's policy of allowing the use and sale of marijuana in tightly controlled coffee shops will not be affected. Drug use in the EU has been stabilizing after years of sharp increases, according to the EU drug monitoring agency. peace, thanks all. amnesty for prohibitionists: turn yourselves in! [ Post Comment ] Comment #3 posted by Treeanna on November 27, 2003 at 09:41:36 PT Thanks, and the same to all :) Happy Turkey-Day, gang! :) [ Post Comment ] Comment #2 posted by FoM on November 27, 2003 at 08:34:10 PT Happy Thanksgiving Everyone! I just wanted to take a moment and thank everyone who has helped to make CNews a success. It has been an incredible journey over these past 5 years. We might still have a ways to go but we are well on our way and for that I am very thankful! Have a wonderful Thanksgiving Day with those you love. Make many memories!For those who aren't aware and might be interested PBS will air the Farm Aid Concert tonight and it is on at 9 PM ET.Here's a little more on Farm Aid and a couple short video clips.FARM AID 2003 - COLUMBUS, OHIO This SOUNDSTAGE special event, FARM AID 2003 presented by Silk Soymilk, was taped September 7 at the Germain Amphitheater in Columbus, Ohio. This two-hour primetime special edition of SOUNDSTAGE will feature performances by FARM AID board members Willie Nelson, Neil Young and Crazy Horse, John Mellencamp and Dave Matthews. Also taking center stage for the cause are Sheryl Crow, Brooks & Dunn, Emmylou Harris, Los Lonely Boys, Hootie & the Blowfish, Billy Bob Thorton and Trick Pony. Also included in the show are exclusive interviews with the artists who played FARM AID 2003. Hear what they have to say about FARM AID and family farms. For a preview of the interviews go to -- http://www.farmaid.org -- and see them in Quicktime. Video Clips: http://www.pbs.org/wttw/soundstage/featured/videos.htm#Be sure to watch Farm Aid 2003 on PBS, check airdates for local listings. http://www.pbs.org/wttw/soundstage/ [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by Truth on November 27, 2003 at 08:23:10 PT Thanksgiving I just want to wish a very happy day to all the freedomist that work so hard for the cause. [ Post Comment ] Post Comment