I've got a friend who's heading to Amsterdam for Christmas. Based on the pictures below, I'm going to wait until May.

http://www.studiokoning.nl/Amsterdam_sneeuw.htm

http://schlijper.nl/archive/2010/01/06/.thumb

God I can't believe I used to ride a bicycle out in that weather. Just shows how crazy we can be when we're young.

Well, May isn't that far away so it's time to start planning my trip.

First I start of with this for inspiration http://www.coffeeshopmenus.org/CoffeeshopMenus.htm. Much of the information is somewhat dated, but it is still inspirational.

Then I check out this site for coffeeshop and hotel reviews http://www.channels.nl

My next step is to locate various Amsterdam coffeeshops and learn more about them using http://www.coffeeshop.freeuk.com/Map.html. It's not all-inclusive, but does feature - De Dampkring, Grey Area, Homegrown Fantasy,Tweede Kamer,Abraxas, Paradox and others.

Now, I need to move on airline reservations before the prices go up!

If god ever granted me one supreme gift I'd be to visit Amsterdam for Christmas. That would be very special; no doubt.

Coooool... if you could give us an update with some nice captures there; would be good.

I am working on getting the last of the menus online. I should be done by next week.

I am traveling to Amsterdam from April 19 thru May 2, 2011.
You can bet your booties there will be lots of brand new menus.

You folks can do it. three easy steps.

Ask the budtender

Take a picture of the menu.

Email it to CoffeeshopMenus@gmail.com

I'll post it and credit you.

Did you know that April 30th is Queensday, biggest Dutch holiday of the year. And there is always a little to do on
4:20 on 4/20 at 420 Cafe ( coffeeshop de Kuil ).

Check out the Whos In Town page to see who else may be in
Amsterdam during your visit.

Here is a coffeeshop map that covers the entire country.

http://www.wietinkaart.nl/

And one for the greater Amsterdam metropolitan area.

http://www.amsterdamhashmap.com/

That ACD map is a great one to print several copies of to carry with you as long as you don't get to far out of Centrum.
Surf around a little, ACD also has maps for de Pijp and Albert Cuypt areas.

When you have firm dates, let me know what they are.
I'll post you on the Whos In Town page.

Nice website dude! Well needed too. I think you've tempted me into paying a visit. I loved the Cannabis Cup last year!

Got anymore info on Queenday?

Here are some pictures to give you a sense of Queen's Day in Amsterdam. It's Unbelievable!

This just doesn't tell all the story, but you'll get the idea.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Koninginnedag

Here's a blog that just popped up that talks about Amsterdam and some of its attractions.

A'dam_Info

I've been to A dam three times.

Stay in the city center.

I stayed at three different hotels. This one was the best and would stay here again.

http://www.tulipinnamsterdamcentre.com/

Enjoy,

Joie

P.S. The Roor store rents bongs.

May is a great time to go. My last trip was in May as well: not too many tourists yet, Vondel park is beautiful and green (in more ways than one...). As someone mentioned, try and stay downtown, so you can stagger from shop to shop. The city is fantastic, canals and bicycles everywhere....sigh.

Enjoy !

DAMN MAN YOU'RE almost making me home sick for my second home. [only places I've ever lived are really Oklahoma and Holland ]

Topcat, where and when did you live in the Netherlands, if you don't mind me asking.

I spent nearly 3 yrs in South Limburgh, when I was a kid.

FlyByNite, As we speak you are now in Amsterdam!! Hoping for a full report as my wife and I will be there in less than a month! Looking forward to Coffeeshop menus and product reviews. Not to mention a report on the Queen's Birthday!!

Is the Grey Area as good as it was when I was there in 2001?

Fly,

Thanks for the new menu from Birdy in Haarlem! I'm going to take a shot at Yanks and LaPaz in Zandvoort in about three (3) weeks. Any words of wisdom?

Looking forward to your return, although you may not be!

NSFE

I believe Yanks may be closed.

La Paz is still up and running.

I've got a trip report here:

http://www.coffeeshopmenus.org/0-WhosInTown-/Spring2011Amsterdam/TripReport.htm

One of the things that makes Amsterdam so special!

At 1.26 grams, this cake will make even a heavyweight pretty happy. All you have to do is make it to Coffeeshop Paradox!

Here's another thing that makes Amsterdam special!!

At .4 grams, one-half of this is a good nighty-night on the day you arrive with about ninety minutes sleep on the plane during a fourteen hour flight. After that it takes a whole muffin!

These are available at Tweede Kamer and de Dampkring.

I take it you kind of liked the place.

The Dutch Weedpass: Failure before introduction.


THE new Dutch government wants to introduce a Weedpass for coffeeshops, for Dutch citizens only, in order to exclude foreigners from buying cannabis. The reason for this project is to stop the cannabis tourism to the Dutch cities in the border areas near Belgium and Germany.

Justice Minister Opstelten wants to quickly introduce the Weedpass first in the border cities, with the rest of the country following suit, introducing the Weedpass ‘nationwide’.

Nationwide introduction of the Weedpass is impossible, because only 101 of Holland’s’ 441 municipalities allow coffeeshops, the smokers in the 340 villages and towns without coffeeshops have been buying on the black market for decades now. The Weedpass will be for local use only, so the smokers from municipalities without coffeeshops will not be able to apply for the Weedpass, they will keep buying from street dealers, for them, and their suppliers, nothing will change.

The only solution to get rid of the cannabis tourism in our border areas would be the introduction of cannabis outlets in Germany, Belgium, France and the UK, so they do not have to come to Dutch coffeeshops any more. This is not a stupid proposal, and it is no longer forbidden in European politics: http://coffeeshopnews.nl/index.php?optio...d=7&id=1195

My guess is the EU came out with this news because of the hype around the Weedpass, and the verdict of the European Court, allowing the Dutch Weedpass technically, because drugs, including cannabis, are considered illegal in EU countries – http://coffeeshopnews.nl/index.php?optio...d=7&id=1233

I think this ruling is made by looking at EU countries in general, but the Netherlanders have a right to use drugs in their country, by exercising their ‘ right to a rush’ (RECHT OP ROES), allowing an individual to use any substance he/she chooses to explore.

The Schengen agreement states that every EU citizen has the same rights as the citizens of the EU country he/she is visiting, named as free traffic between EU countries and the free exchange of goods and knowledge between these countries.

If any Dutch person has the ‘right to a rush’, how can we deny our co-EU citizens this right? I bet the EU Court never even heard of this right. In Holland it is allowed to use drugs, it is illegal to sell drugs, except for the 666 tolerated cannabis coffeeshops.

The hype around the Weedpass will soon come to an end, the City Council of Maastricht, the City that was supposed to run a Weedpass pilot, rejects the Weedpass and are to change the Local Law in order to make it impossible to introduce the Weedpass in Maastricht, ever. Researchers of the COT and the University of Tilburg advised to close all coffeeshops, and if that is not possible, to introduce the Weedpass, however a majority of the Council rejected this advice.

Justice Minister Opstelten referred to the (approved) verdict of the European Court. Just so you know, the court ruled that the residence criteria are against the EU Constitution, but they can be executed temporarily against drug tourism, for the period the problem exists. This is not exactly a mandate to nationally apply a pass or card with a local function.

Residence criteria: This makes excluding foreigners from coffeeshops possible, but it needs a change in the Local Police Law, Maastricht did that, however, the majority of the Maastricht City Council now wants to reverse this change, so the Weedpass will not fly.

This means the weed will bypass the Weedpass, because it will only work if all border cities introduce it, without Maastricht it makes no sense at all, all tourists would go there. This will mean the end of this stupid scheme, because the rest of Dutch Cities with coffeeshops will not introduce the Weedpass, as most of them, like Amsterdam, did not want the pass in the first place.

Besides the problems in the practical execution of the Weedpass, it has more or less been made impossible by two motions that have been filed in the Eerste Kamer (House of Senators) last week, both of them in connection with the evaluation of the Law on Protection of Personal Data. 10 political parties have accepted both motions, by Franken (CDA) and Tan (PvdA) during the sitting on May 24. Franken requested the government to implement 5 criteria in the decision, Tan requested a proposal for a law on identity management.

This means the medical data and the data of those using public transport cannot be registered in a National Data Bank, as the government CANNOT guarantee the data will not be stolen by crooks. This also means the eventual Weedpass data cannot be registered by our government.

I say, let the weed pass from the Dutch coffeeshops to those who want it, from wherever they are. I call upon the German, French and Belgium cannabis aficionados to try to open their own cannabis outlets; the EU will let you do it!


WEB

Nol van Schaik, coffeeshop entrepreneur, Haarlem, the Netherlands.

NO Wietpas some distance criterion for coffeeshops to


June 30, 2015!
Written by Peter Lunk



Wednesday, 23 June 2011 4:50 p.m.

Just received from the secretariat of the BCD, Amsterdam>


Dear friends,

The big news today is that the new tolerance policy on 1 July in will and go until June 30, 2015 (!) will be in force. The criteria are already AHOJG Internet (www.openbaarministrie.nl). The good news is that not much will
change.

The main conclusion is that the criteria are complemented by AHOJG wietpas and distance criterion. Only the mayor's exclusive jurisdiction under art. 13b
Opium consequences to non compliance with the criteria AHOJG. It vernadert nothing. The announced measures to make June 30, 2015 not included of national rules for coffeeshops.

All the evil actions of the Hague (Including distance criterion and wietpas), the next four years so
only be achieved at local level. That means for the record wietpas the schools and the distance criterion in Amsterdam all unlikely to achieve. After all, these measures announced in Amsterdam a demolition will result only through local regulations be determined by the City Council. And the council is against a distance criterion and against wietpas. Like the mayor, who in the new
present regulation is appropriate to enforce. It is also common in Art. 13b of the Opium Act.

Especially the long duration of the new tolerance of less than 4 conditions years is striking. This is an unprecedented signal seems to be that in The Hague has decided to introduce the wietpas and the distance criterion plus Opstelten all that the next time will eventually come up for review of The City Council is. The council must adopt or reject new measures.
The mayor maintains the rules eventually. This means that in Amsterdam would not change much.

The five planting scheme will remain in effect.

Sincerely,

Maurice Veldman
Secretary BCD

WEB

The selling in coffeeshops goes on as usual and the situation has not changed to registration or wietpas need.

For the ones travelling to Amsterdam, here is my list of the best tourist area coffeeshops to visit (I speak from long experience which I rather not specify further on at the public forums )

1. Tweede Kamer

This tiny coffeeshop is one of best-hidden ones, located walking distance from Leidseplein in small alley. They sell the same products as their other shop Dampkring does close by. Locals visit this place equally as much as tourists.

What to buy: I like their Hash Plant which gives strong, deep taste on the smoke, is typical Indica. Also their Cheese is very good and has nice, fresh and bit fruity odor. G13 x Amnesia also very good. Hash menu has choices from blonde and dark to isolator hash. Price- and location wise probably your best pick in town.

2. Barney's

It is expensive and yes, it is (already has gone too) touristic with pretty young (in early twenties) crowd. But the products they sell are very good quality. Prepare to pay also around 3 euro for coffee.

What to buy: Their own breed, Cannabis Cup 2010 winner Tangrine Dreams or G13 x Haze. Both potent and smooth smokes. Hash quality but overly priced - you can find similar high quality elsewhere for cheaper prices when it comes down to the hash. Few euro discounts on 3 and 5 gram purchases if you buy the same strain those amounts.

3. Greenhouse

Also bit touristic and bit expensive - but again, good solid smoke menu. Also US-import strains available and the coffee bar is working well. Clientele often on their twenties. I like their deco, it is something I would expect to see in California in such shop if they would exist (the deco is bit hippy but not too overly cliche - the leafs on the foots of the chairs were a mistake though).

What to buy: They have couple of shops and the one close to the Red Lights District and Dam Plein is visited often my US celebrities - like well known rap-artists who are in Amsterdam. They have US- imported strains that change at times, latest on their list was Green Crack. They also provide an scale to check your purchase correctiviness.

5. Rokerij

They have several locations (even one at step away from pubs of Leidseplein) and they provide very nice environment and decent smoke. Rokerij shops are safe place to go as there are few of them plus they are top of their stuff. Staff also very touristic- friendly.

What to try: I do not have specific favorite strain in Rokerij, I often just buy off whatever from their weed or hash menu. They also give out pretty accurate descriptions of what each strain does for you on their menu card.

For the ones who wish to go for the less-traveled path:

- Coffeeshop Siberia

Very good quality products. Bit outside the very centrum hotspots.

- Homegrown Fantaseeds

Small amounts of pricey but high-end products. They got some stuff others do not usually have, like pollen (15 euro a gram).

- Dutch Flowers

They sell their products in coated airy paper bags instead of plastic ones. Also aimed for the small-amount, high-quality buyers.

- Bushdocter

See their separate hash menu for e.g. isolator hash that can go up to 60 euro. Small, but laid-back shop with good stuff on their list in humble surroundings.

- Kashmir Lounge

Good and surprisingly varied menu for small place of hash and weed, lot of local Dutch and English- speaking residents and only occasional tourist. Drink prices reasonable and atmosphere laid back.

Three places to avoid:

1. Hunter's Cafe (Near Red Light District)

Way too touristic, fed-up and unfriendly staff. You get the feeling they are after your money. Their expensive weed is very mediocre.

2. Bulldog

Pricey, mediocre quality and overly commercial. Friendlier staff than Hunter's but still not something any experienced smoker would like to explore.

3. (Anything with Ethipian colors or Rastafarian references on the coffeeshop name)

These are the tourist rip-offs with first timers going to their first joint in the "shop that had Bob Marley on window". Avoid at all costs and save your money for something decent.

Another reason to pick May over December; you can go to the beach!! This is Zandvoort about twenty (20) minutes by train from Amsterdam. It makes a great day trip. Be sure to check LaPaz out; you'll be in a better space if you do.

It's a little cold in May for the beach on the North Sea! There are many interesting day trips from Amsterdam, or just hop on the train and see where it takes you ! Beautiful city, lots to see and do, food is great - make sure you try Fritsauce, Nasi and Bami Goren, and crokettes.

For a guy who runs around Winnipeg at 3 in the morning when it's -20, I'd think that you'd find the North Sea in May practically toasty!

While there weren't too many, there were several people swimming when we were there late last May. It was Friday and as we were leaving "the young and the restless" were arriving in droves for the weekend. I'm betting that the number of swimmers increased a lot on Saturday!

HA! Good point Eddie I happened to have lived in the Netherlands as a kid, and have tried swimming in the North Sea on many occasions. It's COLD, and I like the cold!

I went back with my wife a few years ago - we went in May to avoid the summer tourist rush. Spent only a week in Amsterdam, including several train and bus trips. Lovely place, lovely people.

I just discovered that the beach at Zandvoort is more popular at the end of September than at the end of May. Once again we were there on a Friday afternoon. The weather was beautiful with blue, blue skies and temperatures near 80.

Given the absence of swimmers the water must be COLD!

Still it's always a good time at the beach. Zandvoort is a great day trip from Amsterdam and a great change of pace.

I always thought Holland was better in the fall, with all the trees changing than in the spring.

Here are a couple of great Amsterdam Coffeeshop Maps. Thanks Lemming!!


Amsterdam Zone A


Amsterdam Western Canals and Jordaan


There is much more to be found at ACD

Views of Amsterdam

Dam Square

Koningsplein

WOW. that really takes me back.

I think this ruling is made by looking at EU countries in general, but the Netherlanders have a right to use drugs in their country, by exercising their ‘ right to a rush’ (RECHT OP ROES), allowing an individual to use any substance he/she chooses to explore.

If your Amsterdam travel plans include a visit during the Christmas season, you won't find the city's attractions and restaurants closed for the holidays. Choose from any of these activities and events to make your Christmas Eve or Christmas Day a memorable one. christmas flowers delivery belgium

1st Press release: “420 Smoke-outs in Amsterdam on April 20st 2012”

On April 20st 2012 many people with an affection for cannabis from all over the Netherlands and from many international countries are coming to Amsterdam.

They are coming to show that they will not let themselves be discriminated against by the Dutch government.


The new Dutch ‘Weed pass-policy’ discriminates the Dutch against equal other Dutch persons by not letting them into any other 'Private Coffeeshop Club' than the one that they officially registered with as a member.

By doing so, this policy pushes the Dutch cannabis user into illegality.
If they are not in their own municipality where they are registered at a coffeeshop, they will have to turn to the street-dealers.

Foreigners are being discriminated against on the basis of their country of origin or where they reside, for unfounded reasons, which state, amongst other things, that the nuisance around Dutch coffeeshops is caused by the coffeeshops themselves.

The tourist will be denied access to the coffeeshops but will still be able to smoke and carry up to 5 grams of cannabis in the Netherlands without running into serious legal consequences

Logic result: The tourist will also turn to the illegal street business.

The foundation and main pillar of the Dutch tolerance policy was originally the protection of common public health, with the additional goal of separating the markets between hard- and soft-drugs.

The Dutch coffeeshops were chosen as the best option to establish this separation.

Those who wanted to enjoy cannabis could come together in these places to light up a pipe or smoke a joint in a safe and protected place where they could rely on clean quality herb in a controlled environment.
Good information was available, and they were not forced to turn to street-dealers who, besides selling doubtful and inconsistent quality weed, also carried various hard-drugs.

Previously any person (above 18) who would want to try cannabis was able to walk into the coffeeshops where they would not come into contact with hard-drugs.
Now this person will be completely reliant on street-dealers.

It's extremely doubtful that any Dutch person would register for a 'Private Coffeeshop Club' using their personal identity documents, just to try cannabis once.

Of course, some cannabis users will stop smoking when they have to register for 'Private Coffeeshop Clubs’, but the majority will turn to illegal street-business.

The new 'Weed pass-policy’ pushes the Dutch as well as visiting cannabis-loving tourists onto the streets and into illegality.

This is in total contrast with the basic principles upon which the tolerance policy towards cannabis and coffeeshops was founded.


Dutch Minister Opstelten of justice and safety:
“The new policy will not be enforced until May 1st, 2012!”

And this is why coffeeshoppers and cannabis loving people from the Netherlands and many international countries will converge on Amsterdam on April 20st, 2012.

To experience what may well be the last chance to enjoy 4-20 with the freedom to smoke and buy cannabis in the Dutch coffeeshops, and to let the Dutch government hear they will not abide/give in? to their discriminating demands.

That day most probably Smoke-Out's will form in various locations as a protest against the new discriminating Dutch policy on cannabis and coffeeshops.
e.g.: It is likely that other 420 Smoke-Out protests will appear on the same day in various locations, all showing their dissatisfaction with the new discriminating Dutch policy on cannabis and coffeeshops.

More info:
http://www.coffeeshopnieuws.nl


Peter Lunk, Cannabis Activist
Dutch Coffeeshop FAN! and medical user.
http://facebook.com/mrlunk




........................................................................................................

Leave cards in all the places you spend money as cannabis friendly tourist to Holland.

Let the entrepeneurs and businessowners Amsterdam and other dutch cities know how much money they will be missing out on if tourists are discriminated against by dutch cannabis coffeeshops by the socalled 'weedpas'-policy that refuses non-dutch citizens access to coffeeshops.

cannabis-friendly-tourist-cards

Amsterdam in winter does have it's attractions, but I'm still going in May!



http://schlijper.nl/archive/2012/02/120209-37-egelantiersgracht.photo

http://schlijper.nl/archive/2012/02/120209-20-prinsengracht.photo

http://schlijper.nl/archive/2012/02/120209-42-prinsengracht.photo

http://schlijper.nl/archive/2012/02/120206-00-herengracht.photo

http://schlijper.nl/archive/2012/02/120205-34-prinsengracht.photo

http://schlijper.nl/archive/2012/02/120205-10-keizersgracht.photo

http://schlijper.nl/archive/2012/02/120203-20-binnen-oranjestraat.photo

http://schlijper.nl/120210-00-prinsengrachtconcert-on-ice.photo

Dutch Weed Pass: Ban On Foreigners Takes A Big Hit

By Steve Elliott
Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Cities Allowed To Decide For Themselves On Enforcement

The Dutch "Weed Pass," which in effect would have banned foreigners from the famed "coffee shops" which sell cannabis in the Netherlands, took a big hit Tuesday as the Ministry of Security and Justice announced that cities may decide what action -- if any -- they take against shops which defy the ban.

"Municipalities may decide themselves what sort of action they take against coffeeshops which choose not to comply with the weedpass," the Ministry announced.

"Many municipalities are opposed to the weedpass and will therefore not be quick in closing the shops," writes Dutch blogger Peter Lunk at Coffeeshop Nieuws. Many mayors and cities have been opposed to the Weed Pass, pointing out that it could have a negative economic impact, and won't even consider closing their coffee shops, according to Lunk.

Dutch blogger Peter Lunk: "Many municipalities are opposed to the weedpass and will therefore not be quick in closing the shops"

"If they did, they know for sure that the soft-drugs trade would go underground, that illegal dealers would take over their marketplaces, and nuisance and criminality would be the consequence," Lunk writes. "Now, because the local councils have the last say on the sanctions they decide to implement, arbitrariness looms."

It's only two months until the day of reckoning. On May 1, the "club card" is to be introduced in coffee shops in the provinces of Brabant, Limburg and Zeeland, as part of a gradual roll-out of the plan. The coffee shops will then only be allowed to sell cannabis to a maximum of 2,000 "registered members" per year, all of whom must have Dutch passports.

The short-sighted move -- made by conservative Dutch authorities supposedly to reduce "drug tourism" -- will likely instead just drive much of the marijuana trade underground wherever it is implemented.

"The open criticisms against [Minister] Opstelten's hated weedpass have not subsided since it was first introduced," Lunk writes. "The criticisms have not only come from coffeeshops in numerous cities on the border and in Amsterdam, which envision a drastic reduction in revenue, but also from the municipalities too.

"Venlo, for example, is opposed, as well as den Bosch, Breda, Eindhoven and Tilburg," Lunk writes. "They fear that the illegal trade in soft drugs will increase as a result of the member registration policy, which will have consequences for the quality of life in their cities.

"There are currently rumors circulating in Venlo that criminal organizations are buying up houses from which they can run their illegal soft-drugs businesses," Lunk writes.

Willie Wortel Coffee Shop in Haarlem. Haarlem coffee shop owners have said they will refuse to implement the Weed Pass.

First to announce their refusal to implement the Weed Pass were the coffee shop owners of Haarlem. A recent survey of the Haarlem coffee shops revealed that only 12 percent of customers would agree to register. "The shops cannot survive on this income," Lunk writes.

Haarlem officials plan to closely watch how the initial introduction of the new Weed Pass law goes in the southern Netherlands over the coming months. (The gradual roll-out begins only in the southern part of the country.)

"We here in Haarlem must decide what course of action we will take," said Peter van Renske, spokesperson for the city. "The local council has the last word in this, as they define the sanctions."

The most drastic measure -- closing the coffee shops -- seems unlikely, according to Lunk, as the marijuana trade would then simply be driven underground.

But Dutch authorities say the law is the law, and it must be obeyed. "The mayor is responsible and he should take action," said a spokesperson for the Ministry of Security and Justice. "They can close the coffeeshops as a last resort."

"Something is decided at the national level, and the local government gets saddled with it," Lunk writes. "And now it gets really interesting. As it has been left to the municipalities, it could well be that Mayor Hoes of Maastricht takes a different course of action against unruly coffeeshops than Mayor Rombouts of Rotterdam."

According to Lunk, it's still unclear how the cities in the southern Netherlands will handle disobedient coffee shop owners who refused to implement the Weed Pass. Mayors, the Security Minister and public prosecutors are discussing the matter.

"It is doubtful whether a refusal to introduce the weedpass will harm public order and security and therefore be cause for a coffeeshop to close," Lunk writes. "Lengthy legal procedures and court cases are expected, in which judges can provide legal clarity on the matter."



WEB

Haarlem, Hempcity of the Netherlands, presents: The Cannalympics !!!

On April 21, 2012, the day after the 4:20 protest in Amsterdam, Team Haarlems' Coffeeshopentrepreneurs organize and offer you the Cannalympics, a 12 event competition in which you can participate for medals and the Cannalympic Bowl, a bowl full of Haarlems finest buds...

For logistic reasons, the events will be held in 12 of the 16 coffeeshops, they are all within walking distance, so participants can do the whole Cannalympic Tour in one day.

All participants that take part in and finish all 12 events will receive a unique Cannalympic Medal, the winners of each separate event will win a Cannalympic Prize Package, the Overall winner will be rewarded the Hempcity Cannalympic Bowl, and all previous premiums.

We are still very sorry we could not get a venue for a 4:20 evening event, that is why we want to offer you this event as compensation, free of charge, a day of fun and games after a day of protest.

Each participant will be handed a map of Haarlem, marking all 16 coffeeshops, and a Cannalympic stamp card, which will be stamped after each event in the respective coffeeshop.

The events will take of at 10.00 hrs and will be closed at 19.00 hrs.

The Cannalympic Award Ceremony will be held at Willie Wortel's Sinsemilla, and starts at 21.00 hrs. One never knows what we may come up with to entertain you there.....



Here are the 12 eventful coffeeshops:

Coffeeshop Birdy : Mirror Joint Rolling.
You have to roll a joint through a hole in a board, looking to what you are rolling up via a mirror. Birdy supplies the materials, including the weed. Fastest roller wins the CPP.


Coffeeshop Take Away : Weedplant 'growing'.
Get the plant to its full size, fast!


Coffeeshop Join Us : Making a Dope Deal.
Every participant wil have to weigh of 3 grams of bud, meaning: 3.00 grams, against the clock.


Coffeeshop WW Indica: Bubble-a-Long.
Make the bong bubble as long as you can, and win the CPP and the WMT. This event is dedicated to Winston Matthews, aka: Sir Bong-a-Lot, currently locked up for growing the best medicine he could produce. The Winston Matthews Trophee will be engraved with the name of this years winner, and those of Cannalympics to come.
Weed supplied by Indica.


Coffeeshop WW Sinsemilla: Vapor Bag inhaling.
Empty the Vapor Bag as fast as possible, but only by inhaling, no hands on the bag!!
Weed supplied by Sinsemilla.


Coffeeshop Easy Going : Coffeeshop Memory game.
Unveil the pairs of pictures of the fronts of the 16 coffeeshops of Haarlem.


Coffeeshop Maximillian : Packing seeds.
Fill ten tubes with ten seeds, as accurate and fast as you can!


Coffeeshop Empire : Estimate the weight.
Guess how much the bud of weed and the chunk of hash in the display weigh together, with two digits after the dot, like: 12.87 grams. The one that comes closest to the real weight, wins the CPP.


Coffeeshop High Times : Grinder Stacking.
The one that makes the highest stack of grinders standing, wins the CPP.


Coffeeshop Key West : Joint Puzzle.
Make up the joint as fast as you can to win the CPP.


Coffeeshop The Lounge : Shisha Ritual.
Get the the Shisha glowing, the one that blows out smoke fastest, wins the CPP.Weed supplied by The Lounge.


Coffeeshop WW Sativa : Bong Builder.
Build up a bong as fast as you can, add water and puff.
The one exhaling smoke from the bong the fastest, wins the CPP.Weed supplied by Sativa.

We hope many of you will show up
to compete in
The Hempcity Cannalympics
on 4:21 2012!

The Cannalympic Committee.


CoffeeShopNieuws

I will be staying in Haarlem that week anyway, what fun this will be.

The First Yearly “Amsterdam 420 Smoke-Out!” April 20th, 2012



420 Smokeout Amsterdam

420 Smokeout Amsterdam Musical Support

420 Smokeout Amsterdam Flash Mob

Dutch Court Upholds Ban On Foreigners Buying Marijuana

By Steve Elliott
Friday, April 27, 2012


A Dutch court on Friday upheld a new law banning foreigners from buying marijuana in coffee shops in the Netherlands, possibly ending decades of "weed tourism" for which Amsterdam and other cities have become world-famous.

A Dutch judge in the Hague ruled that the new law is legal. The move to ban foreigners from buying cannabis is being fought in the city of Amsterdam, where the coffee shops are a major tourist draw and where many shops owners have vowed to ignore the law once it comes into effect.

The conservative government of the Netherlands seems hellbent on turning back the clock to a darker time in Dutch history -- a time when the cannabis trade was underground and people had to depend on the black market for marijuana. According to expert observers, the ripples could reverberate internationally.

"If tolerance ends or gets limited in the Netherlands, then politicians all over the world will say things like 'Tolerance failed in Holland,' and use that as an excuse to enforce their anti-cannabis propaganda, opinions and laws," well-known Dutch cannabis blogger Peter Lunk told Toke of the Town.

A group of the coffee shops had mounted a challenge to the government ban, launched after city officials in the southern Netherlands had claimed "increased levels of drug-related crime," reports Antony Faiola at the Washington Post. The decision, taken by the conservative government in power, means that coffee shops in the south must stop selling cannabis to foreigners to May 1.

The coffee shops will be allowed to introduce a "weed pass" for Dutch citizens, who will be legally permitted to keep buying marijuana. The plan will expand to other Dutch cities -- including popular cannabis destination Amsterdam -- by January 1, 2013, according to authorities.

The Netherlands is continuing to move toward tighter controls on the sale of marijuana -- for which it has had a "tolerance" policy for years -- even as other countries, including the United States, seem increasingly friendly to the legalization of cannabis.

Lawyers for the Netherlands' roughly 600 cannabis cafes argued that excluding foreigners from the shops while allowing Dutch citizens to buy marijuana was illegal under national anti-discrimination laws. They vowed on Friday to appeal the case.

"This is a bad decision not only for the foreigners who can be discriminated against now, but also for the image of the Netherlands in other countries," said Maurice Veldman, attorney for a group of coffee shops that challenged the ban. "We are not a free country anymore because our government asks us to discriminate."

Michael Veling, 56, owner of the 420 Cafe in Amsterdam's red light district, said he was outraged by the court's decision. Veling, also chairman of the Dutch Union of Cannabis Retailers, said coffee shop owners in the city Maastricht, where the law comes into effect next week, were preparing to ignore "this ridiculous law" and were "ready to be arrested."

"We have tourists that just want to have a smoke," Veling said. "If they're not going to get it, they will ask Dutch people who actually have a pass for the coffee shop to buy it. Or they fall in the hands of the illegal street sellers.

tokeofthetown

Protestors just say no to Dutch cannabis ban

By Svebor Kranjc and Thomas Escritt

MAASTRICHT/TILBURG, The Netherlands | Tue May 1, 2012 10:11pm IST

MAASTRICHT/TILBURG, The Netherlands (Reuters) - Tourists puffed on spliffs in the streets of southern Dutch cities and defiant coffee-shops sold joints to visitors in protest against a ban on selling cannabis to foreigners which took effect on Tuesday.

In Maastricht, a short drive from both the German and the Belgian borders, protesters waved banners decorated with marijuana leaves and slogans such as "Dealers Wanted" and "Stop discrimination for Belgium".

In the main square, a few hundred demonstrators staged a sit-in and about 50 openly smoked joints alongside a two-metre-(6 ft)-long fake spliff.

The new law rolls back the Netherlands' traditionally relaxed attitude to narcotics and clamps down on the millions of foreign "drugs tourists" who flock each year to coffee shops, famed for dispensing soft drugs.

From Tuesday, the cafes in three southern provinces close to the German and Belgian borders can only sell cannabis to registered members. Authorities say the move will reduce crime.

"Now we can't enter any more, outrageous, it's discrimination," a Belgian smoker, who gave his name as Cannabas, told Reuters.

Maastricht's mayor, Onno Hoes, was presented with a petition signed by about 300 coffee shops and other outlets asking for the ban to be scrapped.

The city's Easy Going coffee shop closed its doors to all customers in protest, saying police would simply have to handle dealing on the street instead.

Marc Josemans, head of Maastricht's coffee shop association, said in recent weeks dealers from northern France, Belgium and eastern Europe had started plying their trade in the streets.

"Now this is totally new for Maastricht, we never had this problem, so actually we are creating more problems then we are solving," he said.

The new law, passed by the Liberal-Christian Democrat coalition before it collapsed last month, was introduced in January and will be enforced in the southern provinces before being introduced nationwide next year.

Coffee shops will only be allowed to admit a maximum of 2,000 registered members, who must have a local address.

Politicians said the measure was needed to stamp out crime related to the drug trade and to limit cannabis consumption.

Opponents of the law say it will drive cannabis use underground and that the membership lists raise civil liberties concerns.

DON'T BOGART THAT JOINT

In Tilburg, some coffee shops sold ready-rolled joints and sachets of weed to foreigners in open defiance of the new law.

Willem Vugs, proprietor of the 't Oermelijn coffee shop in Tilburg, told Reuters it was business as usual.

"We've been selling cannabis to anybody who comes, as normal," said Vugs, one of several coffee shop owners who wants to be brought before court so the ban can be tested.

"We are being forced to discriminate against foreigners."

He said his shop welcomed up to 800 visitors a day, around a fifth from Belgium, which is less than half an hour away by car.

"They don't just spend their money here, they buy groceries and fill up their cars, too," he said, arguing that for Tilburg, the loss of custom could be economically painful.

The Netherlands for years tolerated the sale of up to 5 grams per person per day of marijuana and hashish in the controlled environment of the coffee shops. It also permits home cultivation of up to five marijuana plants per person.

But the prospect of a register has many worried.

"My customers don't want a membership list. For one thing, smoking cannabis is technically illegal and for another, people worry that police will have access to the list," Vugs said.

Other coffee shop owners say local customers including doctors, nurses, lawyers and other professionals do not want to be on record as consumers of soft drugs.

Maastricht Mayor Hoes said such concerns were unwarranted and the information would not be used for anything other than checking the coffee shops.

Editing by Sara Webb and Angus MacSwan)

reuters

Some related pictures from coffeeshopdirect

More Protest Pictures - Coffeeshop Nieuws

Good stuff.

Dutch "Weed Pass" Plan Hitting Bumps

by Phillip Smith,
May 08, 2012

One week after being rolled out in southern border cannabis cafes, the conservative Dutch government's effort to restrict foreigners from the coffee shops by making them members-only and requiring a "weed pass" for entry is off to a rocky start.

The plan was met last week with street protests and civil disobedience in Maastricht, and this week, numerous coffee shops remain closed there in protest. Meanwhile, the largely Belgian and German "drug tourists" at whom the ban is aimed have responded by simply driving further into Holland to buy their weed since the ban is only in place on the border.

Even Dutch police seem less than enthused. Police in Eindhoven said they were still undergoing training on how to check for weed passes, while police in other border towns, such as Den Bosch, Oss, and Uden told Agence France-Presse "cannabis controls are not a priority."

"It takes time to put everything in place," conceded Justice and Safety Ministry spokeswoman Charlotte Menten.

Police in Maastricht, the largest city now living under the weed pass regime, have taken a tougher line, shutting down Marc Josemann's Easy Going cannabis café after he flouted the law by selling to foreigners, but at least 14 more cannabis cafes there have also shut down to protest the law as discriminatory and bad for business.

Before flouting the law by selling to foreigners, Josemann's first obeyed the law, refusing to sell to some foreigners, who then, in accordance with his wishes, filed a discrimination against him with local authorities. That complaint became the basis of Josemann's ongoing legal challenge to the law.

"Now, we're going to court," Josemanns told AFP. "We were only waiting for one thing: the municipality to close us down."

Villem Vugs, head of the coffee shop association in Tilburg said that problems blamed on drug tourism—traffic jams, rowdiness, street dealing—were largely a Maastricht problem. "The government wants to implement a nationwide solution to address a local problem in Maastricht," he complained. There is "little or no nuisance" from the trade in his city, he added.

The weed pass plan is supposed to go into effect nationwide next year, affecting all 670 cannabis coffee shops in the county, but right now, it only affects 80 cafes in the south. There, the cannabis cafes are only supposed to sell to Dutch residents who have signed up for the weed pass.

Now, the foreign drug tourists are showing up further in the Dutch interior, in cities such as Nijmengen, about 90 miles from Maastricht.

"In recent days, we are spotting cars with Belgian plates in the city center, who are clearly there for the coffee shops," Nijmegen police spokeswoman Florian Vingerhoeds told AFP. "Before, we never saw Belgian plates."


stopthedrugwar

'Dutch drugs policy is being sacrificed to populism'

by Gordon Darroch
Monday, 21 May 2012


The chairman of Maastricht’s coffeeshops association says the wietpas will dismantle 35 years of progress in tackling drugs policy in the Netherlands.

“I'm concerned that the real purpose of these rules is to strangle the life out of coffeeshops. Whether that happens in practice remains to be seen,” Marc Josemans told The Amsterdam Herald.

His Easy Going coffeeshop was closed by the city council last Friday for breaching the new rules. Josemans is going to court on June 5 to challenge the council’s authority to enforce them.

The new law has turned coffeeshops into private clubs whose members must have a permanent address in the Netherlands. Visitors are banned from the cafes as the government tries to cut down on the problem of drug tourism.

If the wietpas law prevails, Josemans fears it will spell the end of Dutch efforts to build an alternative to the ‘war on drugs’ strategy.

“It's very sad to see the way the Netherlands is going backwards in terms of setting an example to other countries,” says Josemans.

“Since 1976 we've had a policy of separating soft drugs and hard drugs so that the consumption of soft drugs is decriminalised and people haven't had to buy from street dealers.

“Now everybody who lives outside the Netherlands, including Dutch expats, has to buy their weed illegally on the street. What the minister is doing goes right against the rules. That's what we want the judge to clarify.

“It's also counter-productive symbolic politics, it won't have the desired effect.”


Populist tide

Josemans argues that the increasingly populist tone of political debate has turned people against the coffeeshop culture. “What we are seeing is the consequences of populism,” he says. “Geert Wilders has perfectly copied the moralising style of Pim Fortuyn.

“The Liberal party (VVD) used to be very tolerant, but they lost a lot of voters to the populists and wanted them back. That's why they have adopted this moralistic and religious attitude.

“They say drugs are bad for you, so they should be forbidden. A realistic policy would say drugs are bad for you, so we should create as many regulations as we can to reduce and control the dangers.

“For years we've had hardly any drugs deaths in the Netherlands, consumption is lower than the average and there's little experimentation among our young people.

“Countries like Belgium, France and Germany are becoming more and more tolerant towards drugs. In Spain they have cannabis clubs. We are the only country that is going in the opposite direction and joining the 'war on drugs', which we know creates far more victims than using cannabis.”


'Shifting the problem elsewhere'

In Maastricht the effects are already being felt. Josemans says hotel and restaurant bookings are down and local residents are complaining about an increase in drug dealing on the streets.

In the first two weeks since the wietpas regulations came in, 50 street dealers have been stopped by the police, a higher number than usual.

The city council the problem of street dealing has simply become more visible because the coffeeshops are closed. It also says the number of foreign visitors has visibly decreased since May 1.

Out of the 1.8 million people who visit the 14 coffeeshops in the Limburg capital, 1.7 million come from over the border, says Josemans. Starved of that custom, most, if not all, of them will simply go out of business.

He has claimed that three-quarters of Maastricht’s 440 coffeeshop staff will lose their jobs as a result of the new rules and the wider tourist trade, including hotels and restaurants, will be hit hard.

“All the council has done is shift the problem to places like Nijmegen, Arnhem and Cuijk,” says Josemans. “If the whole of the Netherlands turns the tourists away on January 1 there are going to be real problems.”


Legalising cannabis

Josemans says the solution is to go in the opposite direction from the present government policy and create a legitimate drug supply chain, taking the means of production out of the hands of criminal gangs.

He is a member of the Taskforce Handhaving Cannabis (Task Force for the Regulation of Cannabis/THC), which produced a report last year detailing how a legal supply line would work.

Cannabis producers would be allowed to set up clubs, which would be registered with the chamber of commerce and have special dispensation to supply coffeeshops.

Legalisation would also allow the government to raise taxes on soft drugs, which the THC report estimates would be worth €850 million to the state coffers. Josemans believes this could be a clinching argument at a time of economic recession.

“Nearly half our politicians are against this policy,” he says. “If we take a turn to the left on September 12 things can change very quickly and we can influence left-wing parties across Europe.

“If one country can take the lead and show that it works, the others are sure to follow, especially during an economic crisis. Look at how much tax and duty is paid on tobacco and alcohol.

“Nobody is taking responsibility. Even the foreign governments are hypocritical about this. They're unhappy about what we're doing, but they don't want to take responsibility in their own countries.

“Our government says they should open their own coffeeshops. I agree with them on that.”

Despite the unfavourable political climate of the last few years, Josemans remains optimistic that the Netherlands can lead the way in international drugs policy. He cites a Dutch saying: “Once you get one sheep over the dam, the rest will follow by themselves.”

Amsterdam Herald

On Sunday 17 June, the VOC for the fourth time, Cannabis Liberation Day!

4th Cannabis Liberation Day in Amsterdam
A FREE cannabis culture festival in Amsterdam Westerpark.

Central slogan this year: gives you grams!

Free flyers to order? Mail to info@voc-nederland.org

Last year, experienced some four thousand visitors a memorable, sunny day in the Westerpark, a vibrant celebration of the international cannabis culture. Since the de facto banning of the Highlife Fair is the largest cannabis Cannabis Liberation Day event in the Netherlands.

Besides a stage entertainment with bands, DJs and speakers from home and abroad there is a hemp market, theater and a Cannabis Festival in the biggest Ger in Europe.

The poster adorned including Def P & The Beat Busters, the British band Latin Quarter, DJ Isis and King Shiloh Soundsystem. Biological weed grower Doede de Jong, nationally known by the NCRV Nederwiet documentary, will speak, as Dimitri Breeuwer of Consumer WeSmoke and Jo Smeets of the Netherlands Foundation Advocacy Staff Coffeeshop. The presentation is again in the hands of DC Lama. VOC spokesman Derrick Bergman: "In this election year, we want a massive positive signal towards politics and the general public.

For hundreds of thousands of Dutch cannabis is an enrichment of their lives or a drug that provides relief without side effects. Really problematic use is limited to a very small group, but which completely dominates the debate. " On 17 June the new tolerance criteria for coffee shops in Southern Netherlands about six weeks maintained. The sad consequences of the introduction of the wietpas and the "private club" are already visible: empty coffee shops, explosive growth of the illicit market, economic loss and insecurity. Bergman: "The new criteria are unnecessary, undesirable and unworkable. The wietpas as quickly as possible from the table: it is a failed experiment of a failed government. The next government should not focus on the front of the coffee shops, but on the back: the supply and cultivation. "

The VOC will all visitors Cannabis Liberation calls cannabis friendly to vote on 12 September. Early September is a special election edition of the Cannabis Tribunal in the program.

Cannabis Liberation Day 2012
Westerpark Amsterdam Sunday, June 17, 2012

Admission free

Contact & information: Central-mail address: info@voc-nederland.org Spokesman: 040-2572818 (Derrick Bergman) 00-32-495122644 (Joep Oomen) Websites: www.voc-nederland.org & www.cannabisbevrijdingsdag.nl

coffeeshopnieuws

Translation by Google

Lighting Up the Weed Pass

By Nathan Thornburgh
Jun 5,2012


From the video

The phrase “weed pass” sounds a lot like the most awesome high school hall pass ever. But in Amsterdam, which has long functioned as Europe’s version of that place underneath the football bleachers where everyone goes to get high during recess, “weed pass” means something completely different.

It’s not about legalizing weed; it’s about restricting it. Already voted into law in Holland, the Weed Pass is essentially an initiative to prevent foreign visitors from engaging in what Dutch conservatives call Drug Tourism. The idea: turn the famous coffee shops into private clubs so that only Dutch residents would be able to visit in Amsterdam and elsewhere. Foreigners, those rolling cliques of American college kids, Australian backpackers and Turkish spacecakers, would have to take their giggle party elsewhere. The law is already nominally in effect since May first, in southern Holland, near the border regions where Germans and Belgians would come buy weed for resale.

I recently visited the 420 Café in Amsterdam—for research purposes of course—and found owner Michael Veling, who is also the spokesman of the union of Amsterdam coffee shops.

The backdrop to all this is that weed is not actually legal in Amsterdam. Coffee shops had proliferated until 15 years ago, they introduced a sort of licensing arrangement, where existing Cafe’s were tolerated and regulated, w increasingly tight restrictions, such as not being able to serve beer, or to mention marijuana in any advertising, in exchange for continued tolerance. Now that tolerance is ending with these new laws, which first took effect in the south of Holland.

“They were introduced [in early May] in the three southerly provinces,” says Veling. “I went down there [to] see it all happening. The funny thing is that although the police have come to the coffeeshops to check if they have foreigners inside or whatever, they haven’t booked anyone yet, they haven’t arrested anyone, they haven’t made a citation… so I think that the DA’s office in this country has cold feet. Where is the arrests? We need an arrest so we can prosecute the legality of discriminating against non-residents.”

Owners are itching for a fight, because they know they will win. At the end of the day, Dutch tourism cannot survive on Van Gogh and tulips alone. And as marijuana laws become laxer around the word, weed is better, cheaper and more readily available from Catalunya to California. Amsterdam’s advantage is still its laid-back, drop-in, fire-up and tune-out coffee shop culture.

For now, it’s business as usual. But if the weed pass passes, in Amsterdam, then it may be the economy that goes, well, up in smoke.

WEB

More Amsterdam Maps

Thanks to ACD's Lemming and Google

Southern Main Canals

Amsterdam Eastern Main Canals and Jodenhoek

Amsterdan Old West

Amsterdam West

Amsterdam's Evolving Relationship With Weed

Rick Steves.

Writer of European travel guidebooks and host of travel shows on public television and public radio (www.ricksteves.com)

Posted: 08/01/2012 7:00 am


Dutch pot smokers are complaining that the generation that was running around Amsterdam's Vondelpark in the Sixties naked and on acid is now threatening the well-established, regulated marijuana trade in the Netherlands.

Responding to international pressure and conservatives in rural and small-town Holland, the federal government is cracking down on the coffeeshops that legally sell marijuana. But big-city mayors, like Amsterdam's, will fight to keep them open. Amsterdam's leaders recognize that legalized marijuana and the Red Light District's prostitution are part of the edgy charm of the city; the mayor wants to keep both, but get rid of the accompanying sleaze. The Dutch have learned that when sex and soft drugs are sold on the street rather than legally, you get pimps, gangs, disease, hard drugs and violence. Amsterdam recognizes the pragmatic wisdom of its progressive policies and is bucking the federal shift to the right.

Locals don't want shady people pushing drugs in dark alleys; they'd rather see marijuana sold in regulated shops.

While in Amsterdam, I took a short break from my guidebook research to get up-to-speed on the local drug policy scene. I find this especially interesting this year, as I'm co-sponsoring Initiative 502 in Washington State, which is on track to legalize, tax, and regulate the sale of marijuana for adults (on the ballot this November).

The Netherlands' neighboring countries (France and Germany) are complaining that their citizens simply make drug runs across the border and come home with lots of pot. To cut back on this, border towns have implemented a "weed pass" system, where pot is sold only to Dutch people who are registered. But the independent-minded Dutch (especially young people) don't want to be registered as pot users, so they are buying it on the street -- which is rekindling the black market, and will likely translate to more violence, turf wars, and hard drugs being sold. The next step: In January of 2013, this same law will come into effect nationwide -- including in Amsterdam, whose many coffeeshops will no longer be allowed to legally sell marijuana to tourists.

Locals point out that the Dutch are not more "pro-drugs" than other nations. For example, my Dutch friends note that, while the last 20 years of US Presidents (Clinton, Bush, Obama) have admitted or implied that they've smoked marijuana, no Dutch prime minister ever has. Many Dutch people are actually very anti-drugs. The Dutch word for addiction is "enslavement." But the Dutch response to the problem of addiction is very different from that of the US.

Being a port city, Amsterdam has had its difficult times with drug problems. In the 1970s, thousands of hard-drug addicts made Amsterdam's old sailor quarter, Zeedijk, a no-go zone. It was nicknamed "Heroin Alley." To fight it, they set up coffeeshop laws (allowing for the consumption of pot while cracking down on hard-drug use). Today Zeedijk is gentrified, there's no sense of the old days, and various studies indicate that Holland has fewer hard-drug users, per capita, than many other parts of Europe.




Nurseries promise you can take their seeds back into the U.S. An exception is this marijuana starter kit.


From the mid-1980s to the mid-1990s, the number of coffeeshops exploded. The Dutch observed that marijuana use rates increased, too, so they made changes, closing shops that ignored rules or generated neighborhood complaints. Now, new coffeeshop licenses are no longer being issued, and the number of coffeeshops in Amsterdam has declined from a peak of over 700 to about 200 today. With the movement afoot to crack down on things, coffeeshops are trying harder than ever to be good citizens and to nurture good relations with their neighbors.

While most Americans like their joints made purely of marijuana, the Dutch (like most Europeans) are accustomed to mixing tobacco with marijuana. There are several reasons: Back in the 1970s, most "pot smokers" here smoked hash, which needs to be mixed with something else (like tobacco) to light up. Today, more Dutch prefer "herbal cannabis" -- the marijuana bud common in the US -- but they still keep the familiar tobacco in their joints. Tobacco-mixed joints also go back to hippie days, when pot was expensive and it was simply wasteful to pass around a pure marijuana joint. Mixing in tobacco allowed poor hippies to be generous without going broke. And, finally, the Dutch don't dry and cure their marijuana, so it's hard to smoke without tobacco. Any place that caters to Americans will have joints without tobacco, but you have to ask specifically for a "pure" joint. Joints are generally sold individually (for €3 to €5, depending on the strain you choose).

Coffeeshops are allowed only half a kilo (about a pound) of pot in their inventory at any given time. On a typical day, a busy shop will sell three kilos (and, therefore, take six deliveries). Very little marijuana is imported anymore, as the technology is such that strains from all over the world can be grown in local greenhouses. (And the Dutch wrote the book on greenhouses.) "Netherlands weed" is now refined, like wine.

The Dutch hemp heritage goes way back in this sailing culture. In the days of Henry Hudson, hemp was critical for quality rope and for sails. The word "canvas" comes from the same root as "cannabis." In fact, there was a time when tobacco was the pricey leaf, and sailors mixed hemp into their cigarettes to stretch their tobacco.

Tourists who haven't smoked since they were students are famous for overdosing in Amsterdam, where they can suddenly light up without any paranoia. Coffeeshop baristas nickname tourists about to pass out "Whitey" -- because of the color their face turns just before they hit the floor. The key is to eat or drink something sweet to stop from getting sick. Coca-Cola is a good fast fix and coffeeshops keep sugar tablets handy.

No one would say smoking pot is healthy. It's a drug. It's dangerous, and it can be abused. The Dutch are simply a fascinating example of how a society can allow marijuana's responsible adult use as a civil liberty and treat its abuse as a health-care and education challenge rather than a criminal issue.

They have a 25-year track record of not arresting pot smokers, and have learned that if you want to control a substance, the worst way to do it is to keep it illegal. Regulations are strictly enforced. While the sale of marijuana is allowed, advertising is not. You'll never see any promotions or advertising in windows. In fact, in many places, the prospective customer has to take the initiative and push a button to illuminate the menu in order to know what's for sale. And, surprisingly, marijuana is just not a big deal in the Netherlands -- except to tourists coming from lands where you can do hard time for lighting up. A variety of studies have demonstrated that the Dutch smoke less than the European average -- and fewer than half as many Dutch smoke pot, per capita, as Americans do.



huffingtonpost



Follow Rick Steves on Twitter: www.twitter.com/@RickSteves

Former police chief claims new coffeeshop rules will lead to explosion in street dealing

Category: News-wietpas Created on Wednesday, 01 August 2012 09:50 Written by Amsterdam Herald .

A former head of the Dutch Police Union has claimed that restricting access to cannabis cafes will give a huge boost to the underworld as criminal dealers exploit the gap in the market.

Hans van Duijn also said senior police officers were under political pressure not to criticise the ‘wietpas’ policy, which bars foreign visitors and non-registered members from the cafes.

Speaking at a conference of pro-cannabis organisations in Woudrinchem, North Brabant, Van Duijn claimed the wietpas had had “completely the wrong effect” and would lead to “more illegal trade and more crime on the streets.”

The new restrictions are already in force in the three southernmost provinces of the Netherlands – North Brabant, Limburg and Zeeland – and are due to be extended across the rest of the country from January.

They require coffeeshops to become private clubs with a limited membership of 2000, all of whom must have registered addresses in the Netherlands.

Van Duijn said: “The wietpas has been sold on the basis that we want to keep foreign users out of our coffeeshops. Once we’ve done that the minister can say: mission accomplished. The downside is that we have far more illegal trade and crime on the streets.

“The problem is very simple. There is demand in society for a limited amount of cannabis. The figures vary from between 500,000 and 600,000 people who regularly use it. Their usage isn’t illegal, they need to get it from somewhere and they’re prepared to pay for it.

“So a market grows up because the production and trade of cannabis is forbidden. You create a criminal world on a huge scale that fights for its market with guns and weapons and is worth billions. You create enormous problems for Dutch society by banning cannabis.”

He said police were fighting an endless battle in the ‘war on drugs’ because arresting individual dealers would do nothing to stop the flow of supply and demand.

“If you go after the dealers, like in Maastricht, where they got 400-odd in a short period, that doesn’t mean 400-odd fewer dealers but 400-odd other dealers. Every dealer you catch is back on the streets in no time or somebody else has taken over their spot, because the trade goes on.”

Van Duijn said he was concerned about the silence at the top level of the police hierarchy about what he called the failures of the wietpas policy.

“The fear among senior police officials is very strong – stronger than you’d expect and stronger than anyone should wish.

“Politicians – and especially the ministers for justice and domestic affairs – have had enough of police leaders who have their own views and raise social issues in the interests of the people of this country.

“So they said: from now on everybody has to keep their mouth shut. And they have the ultimate sanction, namely that people can be removed from office.

“I think that’s bad for the ability of the police to do their job. It’s bad for the critical mass that you need in a democratic system to weigh up whether what we’re doing is sensible. That’s a particular problem with this subject.”

Van Duijn said that rather than trying to limit the number of users, the government should legalise and regulate cannabis production to take it out of the hands of criminal organisations.

“That means making it accessible, taking it off the streets and cutting out the illegal dealers. You can only do that through regulation.”

Amsterdam Herald

Source: VOC Nederland: 'Politietop wordt de mond gesnoerd over wietpas'

Dutch Coffeeshop Owners Into Politics

Monday 20 August 2012


In the run to new election in The Netherlands owners of Dutch coffeeshops have decided to go political in order to save the nation from losing its right to freely smoke cannabis. As you have heard from us and many other sources the Dutch government has got some seriously ridiculous plans regarding the drug laws in The Netherlands; Foreigners are no longer welcome in the coffeeshops in the South of the country and the Dutch citizens need to be registered to be able to obtain a pass which will grand them access to the shops. If nothing changes the law will go nationwide and also Amsterdam will be a victim of this new law. Last weekend was the start of a campaign funded by 140 Dutch coffeeshops to convince the nation to vote for pro-cannabis parties.

The so called ‘Cannabus Campaign’ will be held from an old school American school bus which will drive through the whole country and provide information to voters about the differences between the various political parties. Three left-wing opposition parties, including the largest Labour Party (PvdA), the Party for Animals (PvdD) and the Socialist Party (SP), have stated that they are against the new law. The organization of the ‘Cannabus Campaign’ hopes to convince enough people to vote for the right parties so the new law will be turned back from September. Let’s hope they will manage!




DailySmoker

I've been to Amsterdam in the winter. It bites (but I live in a sunny state). But I like that the Dutch have so many political parties. That's what we need in the US: more voices and fewer zombies tied to the two party butt-f#ck (I'm new here, was that too harsh?).

Dutch coffeeshop owners look to election to kill off 'wietpas' law

Friday, 24 August 2012
Written by Amsterdam Herald .



Owners and users of Dutch ‘coffeeshops’ are increasingly hopeful that next month’s election will put an end to the controversial policy to restrict access to cannabis cafes.

The ‘wietpas’ law, which has been in force in the southern provinces since May 1, has become one of the most polarised issues of the campaign.

The parties that made up Mark Rutte’s centre-right cabinet remain committed to the law, which is due to be extended across the country from January 1.

They argue that the liberal Dutch stance on soft drugs has boosted the international criminal trade and failed to address the health problems associated with drug use.

Against them is a growing consensus of left-wing parties that wants to scrap the wietpas. They favour cutting the criminals out of the supply chain by regulating the cultivation and production of cannabis.

With the Socialist Party (SP) holding a narrow lead in the opinion polls, cannabis campaigners hope that the wietpas can be scrapped before January 1 if Emile Roemer’s party leads the next government.

But even if Mark Rutte’s Liberal (VVD) party overtakes the Socialists, it may still come up against a majority in Parliament of parties opposed to the wietpas.

The mainstream left-wing Labour Party (PvdA) also wants to regulate the supply of cannabis, while the centre-left parties D66 and GroenLinks and the 50Plus group, which represents older voters, favour similar reforms.

Marc Josemans, chairman of the Maastricht Association of Coffeeshop Owners (VOCM), said the election gives voters a clear choice and the chance to stop the wietpas in its tracks.

Criminal gangs

Josemans is challenging the law in a case that is expected to come to court early next year, but he is hopeful that the outcome of the vote will make his legal action redundant.

“Things are looking much better now,” he told The Amsterdam Herald. “Even people within the VVD and CDA are starting to ask questions.

“If the votes go the right way on September 12 and we have a majority in Parliament that is against the wietpas, we will no longer need to go to court. The wietpas can be replaced, and certainly before January 1.”

Due to be extended across the country next year, the wietpas measure turns coffeeshops into private clubs whose members must have a permanent address in the Netherlands.

The law is designed to bar foreigners from going into coffeeshops, ending the "drug tourism" that has been a source of tension between the Netherlands and neighbouring countries.

But opponents say that the system has played into the hands of criminal gangs, who have moved in to exploit a demand for cannabis that the regulated market can no longer meet.

Many coffeeshop customers have been reluctant to put their names to an official register and turned instead to the criminal trade.

Josemans said that in Maastricht, one of the cities where the wietpas is already in force, the new rules have already led to a surge in illegal street dealing.

“People have written to the town hall saying life is becoming intolerable, they can't go out into the streets because of the dealers. The police can't deal with the situation.

“People who used to go to coffeeshops don't want to have their names on a register so they’re turning to the black market. We've lost 22,000 people to the illegal trade.

“All these are things that we predicted and could have been prevented.

“Even if we scrap the wietpas after six months, it will take a year and a half to get things back to where we were. The damage has been enormous.

“If the wietpas is extended to the whole country on January 1, the disaster will be complete. We have to prevent that from happening.”

AmsterdamHerald

Source: De Volkskrant: Verkiezingsprogramma's over drugs: 'Tweeslachtig beleid is bron van ellende'

Photo by thisislike

Coffeeshop owners hit the road in protest against disastrous weed pass legislation

Posted on 28 Aug 2012. By Alex. Filed under Dutch Culture


On August 27 the nationwide anti-weed pass (wietpas) tour organised by the Dutch coffeeshop industry visited Haarlem. The main purpose of the campaign is to encourage all coffeeshops and their clients to support the Dutch Socialist Party (SP) in the coming elections. The SP is the only left of centre party with a realistic chance of becoming largest in terms of votes cast and therefore forming the next (coalition) government.

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The impressive 'Cannabus' on the Houtplein in Haarlem

The SP is in favour of the legalisation of soft drugs and the regulation of production and supply. They also want to involve the existing coffeeshop branch in the forming of a new, progressive cannabis policy following a favourable outcome of the next election.

The only other party with a chance of gaining the largest number of votes is the right-wing, conservative VVD. This is the party which, with the help of some rather unsavoury allies, is responsible for introducing the fatally flawed weed pass legislation in the first place. If they win the next election it will certainly mean the end of the coffeeshops and will probably quickly lead to total prohibition.

On a sunny afternoon in Haarlem various interested parties took to the stage on the now famous Cannabus and spoke of their experiences since the introduction of the weed pass. Haarlem coffeeshop owner turned tireless campaigner Nol van Schaik opened the proceedings. He was followed by Marc Josemans owner of the coffeeshop Easy Going in Maastricht where the weed pass laws are already in effect. Josemans has closed his shop in protest and is challenging the new laws in the courts. Jo Smeets who represents coffeeshop personnel (many of whom have already lost their jobs) spoke of the plight of hard working people who could be stigmatised for the rest of their working lives by the weed pass laws.

Next it was the turn of three local politicians joined by SP member of parliament Nine Kooiman to outline their policies concerning cannabis. Marc Josemans, now functioning as master of ceremonies, led the discussion in a most professional and entertaining manner. All the parties present were in favour of legalisation and regulation – supporters of the weed pass were conspicuous by their absence.

The last speaker was none other than the Potfather himself Wernard Bruining, who in 1973 opened the first coffeeshop in Amsterdam, the Mellow Yellow. He sketched an eloquent but depressing picture of the current state of Dutch society where, for example, citizens are encouraged by the government to inform on their neighbours if they suspect them of having a few weed plants in their gardens.

All in all a pleasant and informative afternoon, we can only hope that the efforts of all concerned make a difference before the Dutch reputation for freedom and tolerance goes up in smoke for good.

http://www.nlplanet.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/wietpas01.jpg
Nol van Schaik kicks off the proceedings while Marc Josemans, owner of coffeeshop Easy Going in Maastricht, has a word with Jo Smeets (Stichting Belangenbehartiging Coffeeshoppersoneel) who represents coffeeshop personnel

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Three local politicians were joined by SP member of parliament Nine Kooiman (in black dress), all spoke in favour of cannabis legalisation and regulation

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Wernard Bruining, who in 1973 opened the first coffeeshop in Amsterdam, the Mellow Yellow, spoke of the dire effect this new front in the 'war on drugs' is having on Dutch society.

http://www.nlplanet.com/blog/2012/08/28/...ass-legislation

The Dutch 2012 election result and the coffeeshops


The future of the Dutch coffeeshops is in the hands of the liberal-conservative party


Tom Blickman
Friday, September 14, 2012




The 2012 Dutch elections were hailed as decisive for the future of the coffeeshops, where the sale of small amounts of cannabis is tolerated. The result is inconclusive. The parties in favour of restricting the coffeeshops or outright abolishing them got 77 of the 150 seats, while those against the recently introduced 'cannabis pass' and/or in favour of regulating the supply of cannabis to the coffeeshops got 73. However, the issue is not that straightforward given that in the Netherlands no single party has an absolute majority and a coalition government has to be formed.

The Netherlands is considered to be a pioneer in cannabis policy reform. In the 1970s the Dutch made the transition from 'zero tolerance' to de facto legalization, at least at the 'front door' of the coffeeshop, where the sale of cannabis to users is tolerated. Problems persist at the 'back door', where the coffeeshop owner has to obtain his supply, which remains illegal and is subject to law enforcement.[1] Suppliers can still be prosecuted for transporting cannabis to the shops. Coffeeshop owners can be arrested buying their inventory, even though they are allowed to sell it. "It's a crazy situation," a coffee shop owner once described his conundrum. "Every day I'm obliged to commit crimes because I have to stock up illegally. But at the same time I pay taxes on the sales."

The left and centre-left parties in the country are all in favour of regulating the supply of cannabis to the coffeeshops and introducing an excise on the trade. According to the Netherlands Bureau for Economic Policy Analysis (CPB), who offered interested political parties an analysis of the economic effects of the policy proposals in their election manifestos, these measures would bring in 500 million euros (300 million in excise and 200 million in reduced costs for the police and criminal justice system).

The block of Christian parties (who had the worst elections results ever, being reduced to 21 seats shared between three parties) are in favour of abolishing the coffeeshops all together while the xenophobic Party of Freedom (PVV) led by Geert Wilders and the conservative-liberal party (VVD) are in favour of the recently introduced 'cannabis pass' that excludes non-resident foreigners and obliges residents to register as a member of private-club type coffeeshops. However, the current rightwing government has lost its parliamentary support and the most likely successor is a coalition government of the VVD and the social-democrat party (PvdA) which will have a majority in parliament, perhaps with a third party, possibly the progressive liberals of D66 – in favour of regulation – or the Christian democrats – in favour of abolishing the coffeeshop system.

Both parties won the elections with the VVD winning more (41 seats for the VVD and 38 for the social democrats), meaning that the current Prime Minister Mark Rutte of the VVD will have the initiative for the coalition negotiations. What the consequences for the coffeeshops will be remains unclear. At the moment both parties are diametrically opposed on the issue – increasing restrictions on the shops favoured by the VVD versus regulation of supply advocated by the PvdA – and an agreement seems not easy. However, under pressure to form a stable government that should tackle the financial crisis and European integration issues, both parties need to find common ground.

The ‘cannabis pass’



Deaf and dumb for the critique on the 'cannabis pass'. Minister of Justice and Security Ivo Opstelten: "I'm not listening anyway" (from the newspaper De Pers)


Due to the controversial introduction of the 'cannabis pass' in the south of the country on May 1, the issue of the future of cannabis policy in the Netherlands was one of the issues debated during the election campaign, something that had not happened for many years. A group of coffeeshop owners rallied behind the Socialist Party (SP), that advocated to abolish the pass and regulate supply the so-called backdoor of the coffeeshops. The new rules that aimed at curbing cannabis tourism linked disturbances such as late-night public disorder, traffic jams and illegal drug dealing have to be implemented nationwide on January 1, 2013.

The new rules do not actually require a cannabis card, but coffeeshop owners are obliged to show their membership list to the authorities when checked. The new prosecution guidelines to the Dutch Opium Law will effectively transform coffee shops into private clubs as it requires the coffee shops to sell only to registered members, excluding non-resident foreigners. Each shop is allowed to have just 2,000 members, who must be over 18 years' old and permanent residents of the country.[2]

Four months after the controversial rollout of the 'cannabis pass' for coffeeshops in the south of the Netherlands foreign drug tourists and locals who resist registration are simply dodging the regulation by buying in the street or heading elsewhere in the country for their cannabis, a quickscan revealed. The new rules have entered into force in the three southern Dutch provinces Limburg, North Brabant and Zeeland so far. Unless the new government decides otherwise the pass will be introduced in the rest of the country on January 1, 2013. Critics of the measure argued that it would increase public disorder and illegal street dealing of all kinds of drugs, not only cannabis.

Just before the new rules entered into force, the government collapsed on April 21, 2012, when negotiations on new austerity measures buckled, paving the way for early elections on September 12, 2012. A poll on May 16 showed that the ‘cannabis pass’ has little support among the Dutch population; 61 percent said it did not agree that its introduction was a good idea and 60 percent favoured stopping its introduction.

Even among the coalition parties that supported the now defunct right-wing government – the Christian Democrats and the conservative liberal party, the People's Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD) of Prime Minister Mark Rutte and Justice Minister Opstelten – only potential voters for the Christian Democrats were really in favour. Among potential VVD voters – the party that became the biggest party after the elections – 60 percent did not agree with the pass and 59 percent said its introduction should be stopped. Eighty percent of the people expected that street dealing would increase.

Negative consequences

Although the amount of cannabis tourists has declined with the introduction of the cannabis pass in the South of the Netherlands last May, national and local media reported an increase of street dealers, cannabis cabs and drug runners in southern towns. A quickscan by drug researchers Nicole Maalsté and Rutger Jan Hebben confirmed what everybody with a little bit of common sense already expected: illegal street dealing increased significantly and police do not have the capacity to do anything about it.

The quickscan – based on personal observations and extensive interviews with coffeeshop-owners – concluded that the introduction of the cannabis pass has led to all kinds of unintended side-effects for local users. The separation of the market between cannabis and hard drugs is disappearing, as well as the age-limit that was strictly enforced in the coffeeshops on penalty of closure. In the city of Breda fights between rival local dealers to carve out territories have been reported. The police are unable to handle the emerging cannabis trade on the streets.

In protest against the move, many coffeeshops in Maastricht and other southern Dutch cities initially closed their doors. Although some are opening again to supply their regular clientele, one in Maastricht permanently closed its doors because of a lack of customers. Growing numbers of illegal drugs dealers are hanging out near coffee­shops harassing not only drugs tourists but also local residents. Many coffeeshops lost a significant part of their clientele who do not want to be registered, and started to buy their supply on the street, at special addresses or from so-called 'mobile phone' dealers. For some coffeeshops, revenue has declined by as much as 60%.

The customers of coffee shops buy their cannabis now almost exclusively in the illegal circuit, according to Marc Josemans of the Easy Going coffeeshop in Maastricht, one of the leaders of the protest. He was slapped with a note of summary closure by the municipality for selling cannabis to Belgians and Germans in the days when the pass was introduced. "There are youngsters that deliver cannabis on their scooter and earn around 250 euros a day, an amount of money they will never earn in a regular job," he said. "For the customer there are only advantages: it is brought to you at home, it is cheaper than in the coffee shop, the quality is the same and you do not have to register."

A coffee shop entrepreneur from Roermond interviewed for the quickscan counted 25 drug runners on a single day. The street dealers are working in shifts. They come by train or car from Rotterdam or Utrecht, do their shift and then go back to their own city. "They look like commuters," he said. A sophisticated network of alternative cannabis supply has emerged that had started even before the 'cannabis pass' was officially introduced, according to the quickscan.

Policy shifts



The mayors of Dutch cities present their plans to regulate the cultivation of cannabis in November 2008

The introduction of the cannabis pass symbolizes the shift in Dutch drug pol­icy in the past decade: the focus on public health has been gradually replaced by a focus on security and repression of public disorder and organised crime. Although the Ministry of Public Health is still the lead ministry in name, the Ministry of Security and Justice (a merger of the former separate minis­tries of the Interior and Justice under the new conservative government) has the lead in practice.

While newspapers and drug control agencies abroad tend to say that the Dutch are rethinking their liberal attitude towards cannabis, support for liberal policies is still widespread. A 2008 poll among municipalities that have coffeeshops showed that over 75 percent want the national government to regulate wholesale supply to the coffee shops. A public opinion poll in February 2010 showed that 49 percent of the Dutch think that cannabis should be legalized while 13 per cent think that the current policy should continue. Only 26 per cent want cannabis prohibited. In May 2012, 64 percent of the population disagreed that cannabis should be prohibited.

A widening divide is emerging between the now defunct conservative law-and-order government and local municipalities about the future policy around coffeeshops and the backdoor prob­lem. The majority of the municipalities that allow coffeeshops want to go in a different policy direction, and have proposed policies to finally regulate the backdoor supply. In November 2008, at a 'cannabis summit', around 30 mayors from different political parties including the VVD and the Christian Democrats asked for a "monitored pilot scheme" to assess if licensed growers could reduce cannabis supply-related crime.

The future of Dutch cannabis policy lies in the hands of the conservative liberal party (VVD) of the current – and most likely the next – Prime Minister Mark Rutte. In the past, until only two-and-half years ago, the VVD supported regulating the back door. In May 2010, its former leader and former European Commissioner Frits Bolkestein co-authored an Op-Ed calling for regulation and permitting the production and sale of all drugs under strict condi­tions designed to minimise use, while making it as safe as possible. The February 2010 poll showed that 50 percent of VVD voters are in favour of legalization of cannabis and 17 percent want continuation of the current policy.

The introduction of the ‘cannabis pass’ is based on a selective reading of the recommendations by the Van de Donk Commission that had been asked to lay the groundwork for a new memorandum on Dutch drug policies to be drafted in the fall of 2009 by the coalition government of a coalition of the Christian Democrats and the PvdA. The Commission recommended that the coffeeshops should go back to their original purpose: they should be limited in number and size and cater to registered local users rather than the "large-scale facilities that supply consumers from neighbouring countries." This should reduce the public disorder caused by tourists who cross the German and Belgian borders to buy drugs. However, it also suggested a limited experiment with regulating the supply for coffee shops.

The new drugs policy memorandum never materialised and the government fell in February 2010. It was the VVD-led rightwing coalition that came to power in October 2010 that narrowed down the recommendations to the introduction of the 'cannabis pass', as well as expanding no-coffeeshops areas around schools to 350 meters and defining cannabis with more than 15 percent of THC as a 'hard drug' that could not be sold in coffeeshops anymore.[3]

The VVD basically sacrificed its previous liberal position on cannabis regulation to gain votes from the right and form a government with the Christian Democrat party and extra-parliamentary support of the Party of Freedom (PVV) of islamophobe Geert Wilders, in favour of closing the coffee shops as well.


The future of cannabis policy: a free issue?


Prime Minister Mark Rutte (left) and social-democrat leader Diederik Samson have to agree on a coalition government.


Nevertheless, during the 2012 election campaign the VVD was standing by the policy until just a few days before the September 12 elections. Then the VVD mayor of Maastricht, a staunch defender of the 'cannabis pass', suddenly announced that because the number of foreigners trying to buy cannabis had fallen so sharply the membership cards for residents were no longer necessary. Prime Minister Rutte reacted by saying that it would be wise to face the practical problems arising in the implementation of the pass in joint consultation between the government and the local authorities, and to discuss the lessons learned so far to see if any changes are needed.

The mayor of Maastricht also said that while banning cannabis tourists in Maastricht made sense from a public disorder viewpoint, the introduction in Amsterdam – where one-third of the approximately 660 coffeeshops in the Netherlands are located – was not necessary since there are only minor problems with tourists in the capital. Amsterdam’s mayor Eberhard van der Laan (PvdA) and a majority of the city council are strongly opposed to the pass. The Amsterdam section of the VVD is also opposed and calls for a regulated cultivation of cannabis by licence to exclude organised crime from the production and wholesale distribution supply line and improve the quality of cannabis. The more liberal factions in the VVD were able to change the election manifesto of the party by lifting the membership limit of 2,000 and leaving it to the local authorities and the prosecution office to agree on membership thresholds.

Whether or not these are indications of a first step towards a revision of the current policies of the VVD remains to be seen. Yet, what the future of Dutch cannabis policy will be is depending very much on what position the VVD will take, the idiosyncrasies of Dutch politics and the complicated process of forming a government which can take months to complete. What the outcome will be of the coalition negotiations depends on the willingness of both the VVD and the PvdA to form a government and their willingness to bend or drop their positions on policy goals, including their views on drug policy. However the possibility that both parties do not find a solution to form a new government should not be excluded.

Any future decision on the 'cannabis pass' will probably depend on the official evaluation of the introduction of the pass in the south of the Netherlands, undertaken by the Bonger Institute of the University of Amsterdam and the Research and Documentation Centre of the Ministry of Justice. Indications are that while the measure might have had some impact in diminishing the amount of foreign cannabis tourists the negative consequences in terms of increased street dealing and public disorder, the increased risk of sales to under-aged youth and the evaporation of the separation of the market between cannabis and hard drugs – one of the main reasons for allowing coffeeshops – outweigh the benefits of the pass.

Based on the outcomes of the study a decision will be taken whether to continue, adapt or discontinue the pass. In the case of a negative evaluation, regulating the backdoor of the coffeeshop through a system of licensed cultivation might become an option, depending on whether the VVD is again willing to shift its views on regulating cultivation. The PvdA is in favour as is the centre left in Parliament, but there is no majority for that step unless the VVD or a section of the party decides to go along.

If the party leaderships are not able to reach an agreement while forming the new government, a solution could be to declare cannabis policy reform as a 'free issue', meaning that cannabis policy is not included in the sometimes very detailed and limiting coalition agreement and is left to the parties in parliament, or even individual parliamentarians, to decide. In that case the liberal section of the VVD has the opportunity to comprise a majority for reform.

International context

Still, such a scenario depends on many as yet unknown factors and might fall apart any time. Even if a majority will decide for reform, the government still can refuse to enact the new legislation, arguing that regulation would be problematic within the limits of the UN conventions and would meet with strong international opposition, as happened in 2000 when a parliamentary majority voted to regulate the back door by allowing the cultivation of cannabis in a closed system, decriminalizing production of cannabis to be sold in the coffee shops. Growers would be allowed to produce for the shops on an exclusive basis, which in turn would be only allowed to sell cannabis produced by these growers. Similar proposals have been advance again during the 2012 election campaign by the social democrats.

In 2005 a second initiative proposing to experiment regulating supply of cannabis to coffee shops failed. The government asked for legal advice from the T.M.C. Asser Institute. Its controversial report, "Experiments in allowing the growing of cannabis to supply coffeeshops: International and European Law issues", concluded that cultivating cannabis for other than medical or scientific purposes was banned both under UN conventions and European Union law.[4] Following the opinion that the experiment would not "comply with the spirit of existing treaties," the initiative failed in June 2006 when the VVD withdrew its initial support.

At the time, the VVD spokesman Frans Weekers said the government had to look for international political support for the Dutch cannabis policy through diplomatic channels in order to move forward. A suggestion that still has to be fulfilled, and which could have a better chance nowadays given the reform proposals in Uruguay aiming at state controlled cannabis cultivation, the debate in Denmark where the City Council of Copenhagen wants to start with state controlled cannabis shops and developments with cannabis social clubs in Spain for instance. A coalition of willing and like minded countries might open doors for reform of the UN drug conventions or coordinated opt-out scenarios for the cannabis provisions of the treaties as well.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[1] The backdoor problem: coffee shops are allowed to sell up to five gram of cannabis to consumers (the front door), but have to buy their stock on the illegal market (the back door). To draw coffee shops out of the criminal sphere entirely, the cultivation of cannabis needs to be regulated.

[2] Under the Dutch Opium Act the sale and possession of cannabis remains a statutory offence. However, the government employs the ‘expediency principle’, a discretionary option that allows the Public Prosecution to refrain from prosecution if it is in the public interest to do so. The investigation and prosecution has been assigned the ‘lowest judicial priority’. Based on that principle coffeeshops are tolerated when they fol­low a guideline – known as the AHOJG criteria – issued by the Ministry of Justice through the Public Prosecution Office: refraining from advertising (A), not selling hard drugs (H), not causing public disorder (O), no sales to minors (J), and sales limited to a small quantity per transaction (5 grams), as well as limits on inventory (500 grams) (G). The new measures added the private-club criterion and the resident-only criterion to the AHOJG guideline.

[3] The Trimbos Institute recently (June 2102) published a study showing that the 15 percent tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) treshold is rather arbitrary and does not give any indication about whether cannabis with higher THC content is more damaging. No statement can be made about the harmfulness of cannabis with a THC content of over 15% compared to hash with an equally high THC content and a relatively higher concentration of cannabidiol (CBD). However, it can be concluded that there is little to no negative effects that can be related to CBD. While CBD has an effect, it is usually in a positive way. Hash with a relatively high THC content and a high content of CBD seems less harmful than cannabis with high levels of THC and low CBD.

[4] According to some the Asser report was modified to fit the political decision envisaged by the Minister of Justice at the time, Piet-Hein Donner, who had strong links with the institute and currently is the head of the State Council that has to advice on all new legislation that passes the Parliament.


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VVD and Labour leaders have confidence in 'fruitful alliance'
Monday 17 September 2012



Rutte and Samsom answer questions after initial talks on forming a new government. Photo: WFA
Caretaker prime minister and VVD leader Mark Rutte and Labour leader Diederik Samsom have confidence they can work together well, they told reporters on Monday afternoon.

Both party leaders had talks with coalition negotiator Henk Kamp on Monday morning and said after the meeting they plan to begin concrete talks after Thursday. After the talks, they both made a short statement to the press. Both of us have confidence we can have a ‘fruitful’ alliance, Rutte said.

The new-look lower house of parliament will debate Kamp’s report on the formation process so far on Thursday.

Danger

During the election campaign, Rutte described Labour as a danger to the Netherlands and some commentators believe a third party may be added to the coalition to bridge the gap between left and right.

However, the two party leaders did not make any comment about the potential involvement of a third party in the coalition.

The VVD, part of the outgoing government, won 41 seats in the 150-seat parliament in last week’s general election. The PvdA took 38, making a cabinet involving both parties a natural choice.


DutchNews

Damn it's gonna suck if they have the coffee houses shut to outsiders. On second thought they didn't have coffee houses back when I lived there easy to find shit on the grand square.

"Easy as shit" is a poor second choice to "It is right there" in a friendly place that serves coffee and hot chocolate, has a variety of hashes and weed, provides opportunities for soft seats, "toke&talks" and people watching, generates reviews from fellow stoners, offers "special" edibles as well as other non-cannabinoid things to eat which include milkshakes, toasties, etc.

I don't want to go back to the world you knew. For me, Wietpas = Next year's trip is to Christiania or Prague.

With the new coalition that is forming the wietpas hangs in the balance so perhaps they can go to local option. How democratic and face-saving. Hopefully the D66 party can get into the coalition and swing the balance in our favor.

Rotterdam mayor says cannabis pass creates problems
Tuesday 25 September 2012

Rotterdam mayor Ahmed Aboutaleb on Tuesday said the cannabis club membership card does not work and will never work.

Speaking to tv programme EenVandaag, the mayor said the cannabis pass just causes more nuisance. He thinks there will be more street dealing of soft drugs once it is introduced throughout the Netherlands on January 1.

Aboutaleb did not say if he would refuse to introduce the membership scheme in Rotterdam.

The pass was introduced in cannabis cafes in the south of the country on May 1 this year. Making them membership-only was a way of keeping out foreigners.

Maastricht

In September, Maastricht mayor Onno Hoes said so few locals had registered that changes need to be made to the way the membership system works. Locals are reluctant to register, so ID and an official council certificate stating where they live should be sufficient to buy marijuana.

Hoes said in a letter to councillors he hoped the move will reduce the number of street dealers who have appeared since the ban was introduced, the Nos reported at the time.

Wisdom

In Amsterdam there is also doubt about the wisdom of the pass, with mayor Eberhard van der Laan saying he is against having it in his city.

Junior justice minister Fred Teeven told local tv station AT5 earlier this month the introduction of the pass in the capital would take place in consultation with the city council.

Coffee shop owners in Amsterdam hope this signals a change in the government's position.

Scrap the pass

In the southern provinces, local Liberal VVD members are asking party leader Mark Rutte to scrap the national introduction of the pass during his talks with the Labour party on the formation of a new cabinet. Aboutaleb has now joined their ranks.

Should the pass be scrapped? Have your say in the comment box below.

dutchnews

Weed for All, Again? Dutch Politicians Say Maybe


For a while there, it seemed as if the Dutch government was speeding to the total abolition of its permissive policies towards the buying, selling and smoking of marijuana in its infamous, 650+ coffeeshops.


Example of a Dutch Weed pass facing extinction


Despite considerable opposition, the central conservative government had managed to pass a law taking effect in January 2012 banning foreigners from transactions in the coffeeshops in the southern provinces of Zeeland, Brabant, and Limburg and intended to roll through the rest of the country by the start of 2013. Pot-buying locals were to apply for a special “weed pass” that would allow them to purchase and light up.

Why mess with things as they were? To put an end to the country’s renowned “drug tourism” and its ugly side effects, particularly traffic congestion, noise and crime.

Very nice, but it also would mean an end to more than €400 million in annual taxes paid by the coffeshops.

So since the right-wing government collapsed and called early elections last month, what to do about the cannabis trade has become a political hot potato among the parties trying to form a coalition government. Two important figures in the Dutch political scene – mayors of the two biggest cities, Amsterdam and Rotterdam, and both senior members of the Labour party currently in talks with the Liberals to form a new government – are vocal critics of the anti-weed measures. Warning that the weed-pass system risks undoing decades of investment and planning, they’re insisting on a total recall.

Prime Minister Mark Rutte is also fielding pressure from inside his own party as politicians in the three weed-pass provinces complain that the ban has sent drug-dealing back to the streets, where it’s unregulated and overwhelming police who lack the resources to enforce the prohibition.


An Amsterdam Coffeeshop


True, the number of cannabis tourists to the country’s southern coffeeshops has declined. At the same time, though, as street dealers emerge, so have “cannabis cabs” and drug runners who do home deliveries. Several studies show that the previous distinction between the sale of cannabis and hard drugs is disappearing. So, too, the age limits that were strictly enforced in the coffeeshops on penalty of closure.

For almost three decades, the Netherlands has been a global pioneer in cannabis policy reform, evolving from ‘zero tolerance’ to de facto legalization through the coffeeshop network. The system, however, suffers from serious holes. The “back door” problem is one such Catch-22. While coffeshops can sell minor amounts of marijuana legally, the law bars them from actually buying their supplies from providers. A coffeeshop owner described the situation to a local newspaper: “Every day, I’m obliged to commit crimes because I have to stock up illegally. But at the same time I pay taxes on the sales.”

The left and centre-left parties favor new regulations of the supply of cannabis to the coffeeshops, arguing the resulting taxes would bring the treasury €500 million – €300 million in taxes and €200 million in savings to the police and criminal justice system.

Polls indicate that the ‘cannabis pass’ has little support among the Dutch, with 60% favoring its abolition. Also, few are willing to apply for the pass for fear of ending up in the government’s files. The mayor of Maastricht, the capital of the southern region and one of the strongest advocates of the coffeeshop ban recently was forced to backpedal, announcing an end to the weed pass.

So take heart, weed-loving tourists around the world. The Dutch government that was about to extinguish your flame may soon be ready to light it up again.


forbes

Amen! One has to wondere why these fools didn't beleive that getting rid of the right to buy in coffee shops wouldn't just send things back to the way they were when they open the coffee shops to put an end to those problems. I hope that makes sense cause I am really stoned right now.

Wietpas scrapped but coffee shop entry rights a grey area
Monday 29 October 2012

The new cabinet plans to press ahead with restricting access to the country's cannabis cafes to local residents but is dropping the introduction of compulsory registration of users via a membership card system.

'The wietpas will go but entrance to coffee shops will be restricted to residents with ID or a residency permit and a local council statement of residency,’ the coalition agreement published on Monday afternoon states.

However, the coalition agreement goes on to say that determining how this residency requirement is applied will be done ‘in discussion with the local councils concerned and if necessary phased in’. This will allow a tailor-made approach per locality, the agreement states.

Big cities

The mayors of the Netherlands four big cities Amsterdam, The Hague, Rotterdam and Utrecht are opposed to the introduction of the cannabis card, saying it will lead to an increase in street dealing.

The coalition agreement would appear to pave the way for the big cities to determine their own policies, but there has not yet been any official comment on this.

The wietpas was introduced in the south of the country in May and is due to go nationwide on January 1 next year.

THC content

The document goes on to stress that the government will continue to take action against street dealing and plans to introduce a 'maximum limit' to the active ingredients in soft drugs.

Last year a report for the government said marijuana with more than 15% THC – the active ingredient in the drug – is so dangerous it should be classed alongside heroin and cocaine.

Expert say the THC content of Dutch-grown marijuana is between 15% and 18%. Some 75% of the marijuana sold in the country's cannabis cafes is grown in the Netherlands.

dutchnews

Dutch National "Weed Pass" Dead

by Phillip Smith, October 30, 2012




There will be no national "weed pass" for marijuana consumers in the Netherlands. The Associated Press has reported that the new Dutch coalition government has agreed on a provisional governing pact that kills the "weed pass" plan proposed last year by the then-ruling conservatives, but gives cities the option of banning foreigners from the country's famous cannabis cafes.

Amsterdam's cannabis cafes will remain open to foreign visitors (wikimedia.org)
With the "weed pass" proposal, foreigners were to have been banned from the cannabis cafes nationwide as of next year, and Dutch nationals would have been required to register with the state to obtain a permit (the "weed pass") to be able to purchase marijuana at the cafes. The plan had already gone into effect in some border cities.

It was touted as reducing "drug tourism" and associated nuisances in border towns. But since it was put in place in selected border towns, some cannabis cafes have closed in protest, while reports of increased street dealing have been on the increase.

Under the governing pact between left-leaning Labor and the conservative VVD, the government says it wants only Dutch citizens to have access to the cafes, but leaves enforcement up to the cities. The city of Amsterdam, among others, has already rejected the "weed pass" idea, saying it would hurt tourism.

Some cannabis café owners told the AP they are satisfied that the country's policy of pragmatic tolerance toward will remain intact, but others said the proposed deal lacked clarity.


stopthedrugwar

Dutch Activist: We Don't Need A Weedpass, We Need To Pass Weed

By Steve Elliott
Thursday, November 1, 2012



Nol van Schaik/Facebook


NORML UK and other cannabis activists across Europe are welcoming the announcement that Dutch cities are set to ditch their proposed Wietpas ("WeedPass") scheme, which would have allowed only Dutch nationals to buy cannabis in the country's famous coffeeshops. At least 1.5 million of the city's seven million visitors a year go to a coffeeshop.

The measure proposed by the previous Christian Democrat government would have forced the coffeeshops to become private members' clubs, limited to only 2,000 members each and open only to Dutch residents, thereby banning sales to foreigners. The scheme had already been introduced in some parts of southern Holland, where critics say it has already lead to increased street dealing.

Dutch authorities in cities such as Haarlem and Amsterdam were vehemently opposed to the scheme. They claimed it would push the dealers onto the streets, and damage the local tourist industry. Millions of visitors flock every year to visit the famously liberal coffeeshops where the sale and consumption of small amounts of cannabis is permitted.



Sheffield CannabisClub South Yorkshire/Facebook

Dutch coffeeshop entrepreneur Nol van Schaik: "We do not need a Weedpass, we need to pass weed"


Although the new cabinet is formally pressing ahead with the scheme, it now says enforcing the ban will be carried out together with local councils, and taking local policy into account. In reality, this means local authorities will seek to protect their tourist industry and refuse to implement the scheme.

"Tourists can continue to use Amsterdam's 220 cannabis cafes, even if they are not resident in the Netherlands," said Amsterdam Mayor Eberhard van der Laan.

Coffeeshop entrepreneur and longtime cannabis campaigner, Nol van Schaik welcomed the death of the Weedpass. Van Schaik has been one of the most vocal opponents of the Weedpass in The Netherlands.

"We do not need a Weedpass, we need to pass weed," he said.

NORML UK Executive Director, Des Humphrey, himself a medicinal cannabis consumer, also welcomed the news.

"As a regular visitor to The Netherlands, I'm glad this ridiculous scheme is not going to see the light of day," Humphrey said. "Anybody who knows how successful the coffeeshop system is always knew the Dutch would probably never introduce the Weedpass scheme and I'm delighted to learn that this is the case.

"The only reason the previous Dutch government sought to restrict the coffeeshops was because of pressure from neighbouring governments who did not like successful Dutch policies showing up their failed policies of prohibition," Humphrey said.

"Rather than lobby the Dutch to change their liberal policies towards cannabis, it would be better if other European countries took a leaf out of their book and copied their successful coffeeshop model, which allows the commercial sale of cannabis to adults in a taxed and regulated market," Humphrey suggested.


Des Humphrey/Facebook

Des Humphrey, NORML UK: "As a regular visitor to the Netherlands, I'm glad this ridiculous scheme is not going to see the light of day"



tokeofthetown

Weed Tourists Still Welcome In Amsterdam: Party Won't End Jan. 1

By Steve Elliott
Friday, November 2, 2012 at 7:43 pm



Nol van Schaik/Facebook


Good news from Amsterdam, where the mayor says the Dutch city will continue to allow foreign tourists in its famous cannabis-dispensing coffeeshops after January 1. That's the day when the infamous WeedPass was to become mandatory in the Netherlands -- with the effect of shutting everyone but Dutch locals out of the thriving coffeeshop scene.

Mayor Eberhard van der Laan made it clear in an interview with AT5, in answering the statement of Dutch Justice Minister Ivo Opstelten's spokesman, who said Mayor van der Laan "could not" go ahead allowing foreign tourists to buy marijuana in Amsterdam's coffeeshops nexst year.


The Smokers Guide to Amsterdam/Facebook

Nol van Schaik: "Amsterdam will stay the way it is, a special place"

"I have been discussing this with the Minister for a year now; maybe I know him better than his spokesman," Mayor van der Laan said.

Minister Opstelten reportedly called Mayor van der Laan after the interview was aired. "He said it was a nice interview in De Volkskrant," van der Laan said. "This also indicates that we do not really disagree."

Van der Laan said that it's a difficult situation because there is disagreement on "soft drugs" policy in the Dutch government itself. In border regions of the Netherlands, the stricter WeedPass policy will still be followed, according to the mayor.

"Amsterdam will stay the way it is, a special place, where freedom has been reinstated by Mayor Eberhard van der Laan," famed coffeeshop entrepreneur Nol van Schaik, owner of Willie Wortel cannabis shop, posted on Facebook Friday. "I applaud him!"


tokeofthetown

CannabisCup 2012







Frequently Asked Questions

What are the dates for this year’s Cannabis Cup?

The HIGH TIMES Cannabis Cup is always held in Amsterdam during the week of Thanksgiving. The 25th Cannabis Cup will be held from November 18th-22nd, 2012.

When will Cannabis Cup judge’s passes go on sale?

Judge’s passes are on sale NOW!!!

How can I buy a 2012 Cannabis Cup judge’s pass?

CLICK HERE TO GET YOUR PASS NOW!

How much are the 2012 Cannabis Cup judge’s passes?

Early bird passes are available from 2/1/2012 until 5/31/2012 – $219.00

Judges passes are available from 6/1/2012 until 11/18/2012 – $269.00

Can I buy a Cannabis Cup judge’s pass at the event?

Yes, you may buy a Cannabis Cup judge’s pass at the door for 250 Euros. EUROS ONLY. NO CREDIT CARDS PLEASE.

I bought a Cannabis Cup judge’s pass, when are you going to mail it to me?

Once your payment is processed YOU WILL RECEIVE AN EMAIL CONFIRMATION FOR YOUR ORDER. IN YOUR EMAIL CONFIRMATION, YOU WILL RECEIVE A PRINTABLE TICKET WITH A BAR CODE. PLEASE PRINT AND BRING THIS TICKET WITH YOU TO THE EVENT.

Are the Cannabis Cup judge’s passes refundable?

No, but they are transferable and may be re-sold to someone else if you are unable to attend.

When transferring or re-selling a ticket all you have to do is give the ticket to person attending. No need to contact HIGH TIMES or Event Brite.

Who is being inducted into the Counterculture Hall of Fame this year?

Cannabis Cup Founder Steve Hager is our honoree this year.

Do I get free weed with my judges pass?

No. You must purchase samples at the coffeeshops, although some shops have booths at the expo, and some of these booths give free samples, usually in vapor bags.

What does the judges’ pass entitle me to?

The judges pass includes admission to all ceremonies, concerts, seminars and the expo for four days, an event t-shirt and program guide, free bus tours to and from the expo, and the right to vote.

Is the Cup wheelchair friendly?

Many shops are wheelchair friendly and the main floor of the expo is accessible by wheelchair. We have many wheelchair participants every year and welcome your participation.

I can’t afford the pass. Can I still attend the event?

Yes. You can buy single ticket admission to the expo only for 50 euro – these day passes are not available in advance.

When will the schedule of events be posted?

A preliminary schedule of events that is subject to change is available early in September. The final schedule of events is posted in October here on the Cannabis Cup website.

What hotels are close to the event?

We recommend staying near Central Station if you plan to spend most of your time at the Expo. The nearest hotels to the Melkweg are the American (five stars) and the Quentin (three stars).

This area of town is known as the Leidseplein and is a good choice for anyone who wants to attend all the concerts as their main priority.

I’m planning a vacation to Amsterdam next year. I would like to acquire a book and/or information on the city. Do you have anything like that?

You can get a lot of free info online by searching “Amsterdam Hotels”; “Amsterdam Travel Guide”; and “Amsterdam Coffeeshops”.

Where do you pre-register for the Cannabis Cup?

There are no preregistration details available yet.

Where will the music and the expo take place?

The expo will take place at Amsterdam Roest, 213 Czaar Peterstraat, 1018 Amsterdam, Netherlands. The music events will take place at the Melkweg, Lijnbaansgracht 234 /A, 1017 PH Amsterdam, Netherlands.

What time is the Sunday party starting?

The Opening party will be Sunday, November 18th at 8 p.m.


CannabisCup

2012 Schedule

Friday, Nov. 16 – Saturday, Nov. 17

Noon to 5 p.m. (17:00) — Pre-registration of Judges, pick up passes at the cafe at Amsterdam Roest, Jacob Bontiusplaats 1, 1018 PL Amsterdam, Netherlands.


Seminars and Shows

Sunday, Nov. 18

1:30 p.m. — Danny Danko opens the Cannabis Cup ® with a cultivation seminar featuring international cultivation experts.
3 p.m. — Wernard Bruining discusses his version of “Rick Simpson” oil, produced to enable predictable strength and effect.
4:20 p.m. — Steve Hager, founder of the High Times Cannabis Cup, welcomes judges and conducts opening ceremonies.
5 p.m. – Robert Connell Clarke hosts an open forum discussion covering the evolutionary history and modern taxonomy of cannabis.

Monday, Nov. 19

1:30 p.m. – Danny Danko hosts a panel of cultivation experts and records an episode of the Free Weed podcast.
3 p.m. — Nol van Schaik discusses the controversial Weedpass of Holland and cannabis tourism in the future.
4:20 p.m. — Bubbleman
5 p.m. – Swerve of the Cali Connection presents “Grow Your Own Medicine” seminar.

Tuesday, Nov. 20

1:30 p.m. — Danny Danko hosts a panel of cultivation experts and records an episode of the Free Weed podcast.
3 p.m. – Soma, the leader of Soma Seeds, imparts his special brand of cannabis wisdom.
4:20 p.m. – Bobby Black introduces Miss High Times 2012 Emily Aryn.
5 p.m. — Don & Aaron of DNA Genetics discuss their star strains.

Wednesday, Nov. 21

1:30 p.m. – Mason Tvert, Freedom Fighter of the Year, discusses the battles he’s waged in Colorado and the bigger ones on the horizon.
3 p.m. — Arjan discusses the international success of the Green House cannabis empire.
4:20 p.m. — Remo, the Urban Grower, provides up-to-date info on growing medical cannabis.
5 p.m. – Elise McDonough, author of The High Times Cannabis Cookbook, guides you to the creation of fabulous cannabis cuisine.

Thursday, Nov. 22

1:30 p.m. – Mila, the “Hash Queen of Amsterdam” presents “Concentrates versus Hashish.”
3 p.m. – Adam Dunn of T.H.Seeds presents “Hemp Genesis 101.”
4:20 p.m. — Steve Hager closes the Expo. Later this evening, Steve will be inducted into the Counterculture Hall of Fame at the Cannabis Cup awards ceremony at the Melkweg.

9 p.m. — Cannabis Cup ® Awards ceremony at the Melkweg, featuring Styles P., N.O.R.E. and DJ Scram Jones


Party Schedule

Sunday, Nov. 18

(Old Hall at the Melkweg)

Doors open: 9 p.m.
Showtime: 10 p.m.

Program: DJ Lone Strijker; DJ Martin Augustin



Monday, Nov. 19

(Max at the Melkweg)

Doors Open: 8 p.m.
Showtime: 9:30 p.m.

Program: Ghostface Killah (of Wu Tang Clan); N.O.R.E. (of Capone and Noreaga); DJ Scram Jones

———-

(Old Hall at the Melkweg)

Doors Open: 9 p.m.
Showtime: 10 p.m.

Program: Kursa (Vexisle); Shamanic Technology; Spenghead



Tuesday, Nov. 20

(Old Hall at Melkweg)

Doors Open: 8 p.m.
Showtime: 9 p.m.

Ticket Price: €20

Program: T.H.Seeds/Hoodlamb presents PhatToonzday: Fun Loving Criminals DJ set, Fast & Frank plus special guests; DJ Adi-J Bassground; Hoodlamb Rebel Soundsystem; DJ Gibbo; Cheeky Monkey; Hoodlamb Fashion Show



Wednesday, Nov. 21

(Max at the Melkweg)

Doors Open: 8 p.m.
Showtime: 9 p.m.

Program: Doom in the ‘Dam featuring MF Doom and special guests



Thursday, Nov. 22

(Max at the Melkweg)

Doors Open: 8 p.m.
Showtime: 9 p.m.

Program: 25th Annual Cannabis Cup ® Awards ceremony featuring Styles P., N.O.R.E. and DJ Scram Jones


Cannabis Cup 2012

25th HIGH TIMES Cannabis Cup Results


Thu, Nov 22, 2012




Here it is, Thanksgiving Day! But the Cannabis Cup is its own special feast day. After five days of sampling the best cannabis products in the world, judges from around the world have selected the premier strains of cannabis and the most outstanding hashish featured at the 25th annual HIGH TIMES Cannabis Cup.



Tonight, they celebrated Thanksgiving Day at the Melkweg in Amsterdam with the presentation of the Cannabis Cup Awards. In addition to the awards for cannabis, the top product of the Cannabis Cup Expo was also honored, as well as the top glass pipe that stood out from a field of stunning smokeware.



As always, awards night makes a special point of honoring standouts of the cannabis community. Last year, HIGH TIMES instituted the Dutch Master Awards in order to recognize pioneers of the cannabis industry of the Netherlands. Wernard Bruining and Nol van Schalk were this year's recipients.



Mason Tvert was crowned as the new HIGH TIMES Freedom Fighter of the Year, an outstanding choice in light of his tireless work to legalize marijuana in Colorado.



And Steve Hager was inducted into the HIGH TIMES Counterculture Hall of Fame. Steve is the founder of the Cup. His vision, to promote not only the plant but a sense of cannabis spirituality, has made this event an international sensation for a quarter-century.



Congratulations to all of our Cannabis Cup superstars!



Here are the official results of the 25th HIGH TIMES Cannabis Cup:


SEED COMPANY

INDICA

1st Place - Kosher Kush from Reserva Privada

2nd Place - True OG from Elemental Seeds

3rd Place - SFV OG Kush from Cali Connection


SATIVA

1st Place - Amnesia Haze from Soma's Sacred Seeds

2nd Place - Sour Amnesia from Hortilab

3rd Place - Green Shack from Strain Hunters Seedbank


HYBRID

1st Place - Loud Scout from Loud Seeds

2nd Place - Rock Star from Bonguru Seeds

3rd Place - Rug Burn OG from Rare Dankness Seeds


HASH

1st Place - The Wheezy from Reserva Privada

2nd Place - Tangerine Compound from Rare Dankness Seeds

3rd Place - The Tangie from DNA Genetics



CBD AWARD - Lion's Tabernacle from Cali Connection



COFFEESHOPS

NEDERHASH

1st Place - Lemon Crystal from the Green House Coffeeshop

2nd Place - Grey Crystal from the Grey Area

3rd Place - M.O.G from the Green Place


IMPORT HASH

1st Place - Sharkberry Cream from the Green House Coffeeshop

2nd Place - Twizzler from the Green Place

3rd Place - Maroc Lemon Haze from The Bushdocter


THE CANNABIS CUP

1st Place - Flower Bomb Kush from the Green House Coffeeshop

2nd Place - Shoreline from the Green Place

3rd Place - Evergrey from the Grey Area


EXPO


BEST BOOTH

1st Place - Big Buddha Seeds

2nd Place - Cali Connection

3rd Place - Roor


BEST PRODUCT

1st Place - Big Buddha Seeds Goodie Bag from Big Buddha Seeds

2nd Place - PUFFiT Inhaler/Vaporizer from VapoShop and Discreet Vape

3rd Place - Tiny Sister from Roor


BEST GLASS

1st Place - Drill Bill from Roor Glass

2nd Place - Puk Pipe from Puk Pipe

3rd Place - The MF Doom Borch from DNA Genetics and Hitman Glass



HighTimes

Another Golden Age for Amsterdam

By Rick Steves


In 2013 Amsterdam will celebrate the 400th anniversary of its famous ring of canals.

(photo credit: Cameron Hewitt)

Amsterdam's new Film Museum on the IJ is a new ultra-modern landmark on the city's waterfront.

(photo credit: Rick Steves)


Amsterdam is a laboratory of progressive living and tolerance, bottled inside Europe's most 17th-century city. Like Venice, this city is a patchwork quilt of canal-bordered islands, anchored upon millions of wooden pilings. But unlike its dwelling-in-the-past cousin, Amsterdam sees itself as a city of the future. And after years of reshuffling and rebuilding, Amsterdam is coming together — 2013 is shaping up to be a big year for finally completing several ambitious projects.

People who love Dutch art are thrilled that next April, the new, much-improved Rijksmuseum will open — 10 years after it closed for a radical renovation. Built in 1885 to house the nation's great art, the Rijksmuseum owns an incomparable collection of 17th-century Dutch Masters: Rembrandt, Vermeer, Hals, and Steen. But earlier renovations chopped up the original space into narrow, sparse galleries. So officials moved the masterpieces into its smaller Philips Wing and tore apart the main structure.

When it reopens, the Rijksmuseum will match the vision of its original architect, Pierre Cuypers. Natural light will flood large rooms with high ceilings. These viewing galleries surround two massive courtyards that were walled up for half a century. Visitors will wander through Neo-Gothic halls with Romantic murals that were painted over in the post-war era. On the bottom floor, there'll be a bright, new level for visitors that includes information desks, a café, and gift shop. The collection will be completely arranged. Only Rembrandt's masterpiece — The Night Watch — will stay in its original position at the center of the building.

Another of Amsterdam's top draws — the Van Gogh Museum — is also temporarily closed while workers upgrade its infrastructure. Fortunately, 75 of Vincent's masterpieces are on display in the Hermitage Amsterdam museum instead. Shortly after the Rijksmuseum opens next spring, the Van Gogh Museum will reopen to kick off its 40th birthday celebration.

Those industrious Dutch have already finished upgrading a third Amsterdam art museum. The Stedelijk — the Netherlands' top modern-art museum — opened its doors in September after a long remodel. Its original building now flaunts an architecturally daring new entry to its fun, far-out, and refreshing exhibits.

While Amsterdam spiffs up its museum quarter, the skyline across the water from its train station has a new focal point — the Film Museum on the IJ, nicknamed "The Eye." This striking and sleek modern building heralds the coming gentrification of the north side of the IJ (a body of water that separates Amsterdam from its northern suburbs). The building is a complex of four theaters and a trendy café with great riverside seating. Even getting here is fun: From behind the train station catch the free ferry (labeled "Buiksloterweg"), take it across the water, and turn left.

Along with its new and refurbished museums, Amsterdam's many characteristic canals will get in on the 2013 action. Next year they'll be celebrating their 400th birthday (construction started on the canal ring in 1613). In honor of the anniversary, there'll be concerts, swimming, skating, and even fashion catwalks.

But there's one major project that won't be ready next year — or the year after that: a new subway line. The North-South line (to open in 2017) will greatly expand Amsterdam's limited system. And though it sounded like a fine idea back in the "Golden 90s" when the project was started, better economic times are gone, it's been riddled with delays, and today many think it is bleeding the city economically.

The challenge is digging a subway tunnel under ancient buildings that stand on pilings driven centuries ago into the mud. In the Middle Ages, buildings were made of wood, but devastating fires repeatedly wiped out entire neighborhoods, so stone became the building material of choice. Stone was too heavy for a foundation set in mud, so pilings were driven 30 feet through the mud and into more stable sand. (The wood survives if kept wet and out of the air.) Today's biggest buildings have concrete foundations that go down as much as 120 feet deep. The new subway has to go under all this without damaging historic structures — one reason it's behind schedule and way over budget.

Still, when the new subway line is finished, it'll smartly accommodate the Amsterdam of the future. The 100,000 people living in northern Amsterdam across the river will suddenly be just minutes from the center.

During its Golden Age in the 1600s, Amsterdam was the world's richest city, an international sea-trading port, and the cradle of capitalism. Amsterdam today — with its tolerant social mores and huge investments in culture and transportation — is still a bold experiment in modern living.

ricksteves

(Rick Steves (http://www.ricksteves.com) writes European travel guidebooks and hosts travel shows on public television and public radio. Email him at rick@ricksteves.com and follow his blog on Facebook.)

2nd Announcement AMS420 Smoke-Out on 4-20-2013

Written by MrLunk
Wednesday, 28 November 2012




Organisers Peter Lunk & Nol van Schaik


Welcome to the new website of the Organization of the Annual Amsterdam 420 Smoke-Out's!

Last year we decided for the first time a 420 Smoke-Out in Amsterdam to organize, reason for this was the sudden hardening of the rules of cannabis use in the form of the 'Wietpas.

Now may be the wietpas, at least the registration at the coffee shops disappeared, and municipalities are increasingly aware that they will not enforce the discriminatory criterion Residents, tourists and visitors outside the border coffee shops to keep.

According to us is the I-Criterion no longer legally apply since the registration at the coffee shops and thus the club decided criterion has expired. Only private clubs may indeed members deny access based on club membership conditions. And without rules, the club decided Coffeeshop simply a public non-alcoholic catering facility. And can also selling cannabis to non-residents on the basis of the same criterion I shall not be prohibited.

Our suspicion in this regard was on 30 November 2012 via this tweet supported by attorney Sidney Smeets SPONG of lawyers, co-author of the book "The hypocrisy of the back door '.

Conclusion nav this reaction of attorney Sidney Smeets:
It is just as impossible to coffee shops to foreigners / non-residents refuse to buy weed as a supermarket or liquor to people based on skin color, ethnicity, religion or domicile the purchase of alcoholic beverages to refuse.




# AMS420 2012 1100 participant


It is still far from over with the repression of cannabis coffeeshop & entrepreneurs ...

Because with remaining lines as a 15% THC content of cannabis in the coffee shop, the street or private breeding for many the only solution to get a good weed. A redundant 350meter border to schools does the number of coffee shops so far reduced that the 'nuisance' / pressed in the remaining shops them eventually probably also by 'nuisance' the tie will doen.En that while schoolchildren under 18 the coffee not coming in, certainly not without showing ID!

It is time for "The Back Door" and thus the cultivation and supply of cannabis to coffeeshops products is regulated.

Therefore we organize this year on 20 April 2013 another 'Amsterdam 420 Smoke-Out!

Keep watching this site! More information will follow!

Stay up-to-date follow us also on Facebook!


Translation by Google

AMS420

any one going try the truffels

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y8vaRVwF0xA

Having seen this thanks to an ACD member, I'm starting to wonder if I should NOT be waiting for May!! There's a lot of great things happening in Amsterdam in December. In addition, I'm thinking that New Year's Eve in Amsterdam would be awesome! If you like fireworks, Dam Square is the place to be on December 31st.

Amsterdam Light Festival:
Amsterdam Light Festival is running from 7 December to 20 January – an illuminated evening walking route, Grachtenfestival winter special and Christmas Canal Parade.

It consists of Illuminade; a route between the Maritime Museum and the Amstel along 20 inspiring light objects, and the Boulevard of Light with breathtaking light sculptures and illuminated buildings and bridges along the Amstel.

Winterparade:
At the Oude Kerk, 22-26 december. The winter version of the classic parade is full of live acts and performances. This year, you can join 500 other guests on a 120-metre long table for a festive menu and stacks of entertainment. Winterparade also runs in Nijmegen, Haarlem and Eindhoven.

Cinderella:
The Dutch National Ballet returns with a truly festive family performance of Cinderella, set to the world-famous music by Prokofiev. Muziektheater, 13 December – 1 January.

World Christmas Circus:
Royal Theatre Carre is hosting a modern circus featuring international artists. 21 December – 6 January.

Ice skating and gluhwein:
Throughout the city. Get your skates and glide around the Jaap Edenbaan or head to the smaller rinks on Museumplein, Leidseplein or Gelderlandplein. Then warm up with a hot meal and have a drink at one of the nearby cafes.

Pink Christmas:
Citywide – ‘Don we now, our gay apparel.’ Commonly known as the Winter Gay Pride, Pink Christmas comes to town from 19 to 31 December 2012, featuring theatre, shows, ice skating events, club nights and a whole lot more. Check the website for the latest programme, which includes a “naked bar”.

Palazzo Dinner Show:
Celebrate Christmas in style at the world famous Palazzo. Set in a traditional 19th-century ‘mirror tent’, tuck into a mouth-watering four-course dinner and be dazzled by the show featuring theatre, acrobatics, comedy, magic and illusion. Until 3rd March.

Paradiso Boxing Day Concert:
26 December – The all-star Paradiso Orchestra and guests pump a dose of musical life into Boxing Day to help blow way the turkey and wine-induced hangover.

Boxing Day Celebrations:
The visitors centre at Amsterdamse Bos is welcoming families with hot chocolate and gluhwein. You can participate in wintery activities and warm yourself by the massive fire pit they have outside. Dec 26, from 12-5pm.

Vintage Tramride:
On Dec 23 a Vintage Tram runs a Christmas ride from Haarlemmermeerstation to Amstelveen and vice versa. The tram runs at 1pm and gluhwein and other snacks are served on board. The ride lasts 2 hours and reservations are required.

Classical Music Performances:
Christmas comes alive in Amsterdam in a fantastic collection of classical and choral concerts at venues throughout the city. Some of the highlights: the Westerkerk joins in the Christmas celebrations with a concert to match its stature in the city.

Amsterdam Grachtenfestival:
The Amsterdam Grachtenfestival returns for a winter series of classical performances at churches across the city.Performances are on Thursday, 20 December 2012 and Thursday, 10 & Thursday, 17 January 2013.

Discover Artis in the dark:
From Saturday 22 December to Sunday 6 January, Artis Zoo will stay open until 8pm for the special Winteravonden (winter evenings) in Artis.

Lit paths will guide you to unique, exciting and secret spots inside Artis, revealing some of the zoo’s lesser-known treasures such as the beautiful 19th-century library, the oldest oak tree in Amsterdam and two buddhas from 1870. Of course, you can also admire the animals under the cover of night! After walking through the zoo, order a traditional Dutch meal like stamppot or treat yourself to a hot chocolate or glass of glühwein. On Christmas Eve, you can also enjoy performances by a special Christmas choir.

Tangomania 2012:
Between 26 – 30 December Amsterdam becomes the capital of Argentine tango for five fiery days and nights during the festive season. Keep out the winter chill with performances, workshops and dancing events throughout the city!

Funky Xmas & New Year’s Market:
The Funky Xmas Market at the Westergasfabriek is packed with cheerful decorations, delicious aromas and numerous craft stalls, creating a special holiday atmosphere. The Funky Xmas Market falls on the weekend of 22 and 23 December, taking place from 12pm to 6pm. Entrance is free. Spreading the seasonal joy a little bit further in 2012, there’s also a special New Year’s Market on 6 January 2013!

Oliebollen:
Forget about your waistline this holiday season and tuck into a proper Dutch treat; the oliebol, literally oil balls, which are traditionally enjoyed on New Year’s Eve and during fun fairs. Buy a couple from the numerous mobile stands throughout the city, and make sure you get some appelflappen too.

Out of town:

Meet Father Christmas and his reindeer!:
From 23-29 December a real black engine steam train runs from Hoorn to Wognum. Father Christmas is present at Wognum and he’s brought his sled and some reindeer too! Warm chocolate milk and gluhwein are served on board. Adults EUR 13,80, children EUR 12,30, toddlers up to 3yrs EUR 6,10.

Trains depart 10:30, 12:30 and 14:30 and a ride lasts 90 minutes. Reservations required: tel 0229-214862 or email info@museumstoomtram.nl. Direct trains from Amsterdam Central Station to Hoorn run 4 times an hour, taking 40 minutes.

Winterland Hoofddorp:
Previously held at Rembrandtsplein, Amsterdam, Winterland has moved to Hoofddorp. Until January 6, Dik Tromplein in Hoofddorp is a Winter Wonderland complete with icerink, Christmas Market and market stalls selling food and drinks.

Christmas Market:
For those seeking an authentic Weihnachtsmarkt atmosphere without having to cross over into Germany, Limburg is home to a number of large Christmas markets, most notably in Maastricht (30 November – 31 December) and Valkenburg (16 November – 23 December). Although a long day trip from Amsterdam, here you can get your fill of Christmas stalls, Glühwein, roasted chestnuts and seasonal music and dance entertainment, all with an equal serving of Dutch charm. Read more about Our Favourite Christmas Markets.

Winterstation Utrecht:
The Railway Museum Utrech has been transformed to a Winterstation, complete with icerink! Skates are free to rent and you can actually skate past the trains! There is face painting, an old fashioned merry-go-round and dads can enjoy a proper barber’s shave and cut. There is live music and lots of arts and crafts. Running until January 6.

Warm Hands Cold Feet:
Dutch children’s entertainer Dirk Scheele is touring the country from 9 December and 4 January, from Heemstede to Eindhoven.

Carnivale:
In both Groningen and The Hague, Carnivale consists of 25 magical acts to entertain the whole family. Think “The Parade” meets “Circus” meets “madness for the family”. The Hague 28-30 December, Groningen 21-23, 25 & 26 December and 2-6 January.

Dickens Festival:
In Deventer, Dec 15 & 16 from 11am-5pm, the city centre is transformed back into the time of Dickens. Lots of actors will make you believe you have stepped back into time and as added bonus, the shops are open on Sunday and there is a Christmas Market. Entry is free but they are expecting a long cue at the entrance. Direct trains run from Amsterdam to Deventer.

Cool Scheveningen:
From 22 December to 20 January a big icerink is located in front of famous hotel Kurhaus. Walk off some of the oliebollen on the beach and then skate a round on the rink.

On January 1 at 12pm tens of thousands of people will dive into the North Sea for the annual New Year’s Dive. Entry is EUR 2 and you get a goodie bag plus a much-needed bowl of green pea soup afterwards. Changing facilities on the beach, live entertainment and overall madness but it captures the essence of “gezellig” to be on that beach, even as an onlooker.

Open Air theatre with Anton Pieck & Dickens:
Kampen, a quaint little town close to Zwolle, is transformed into a two day open air theater festival. Last year it drew 90.000 visitors. 21-22 December from 5pm-10pm.


ACD

Amsterdam Light Festival:
Amsterdam Light Festival is running from 7 December to 20 January – an illuminated evening walking route, Grachtenfestival winter special and Christmas Canal Parade.

It consists of Illuminade; a route between the Maritime Museum and the Amstel along 20 inspiring light objects, and the Boulevard of Light with breathtaking light sculptures and illuminated buildings and bridges along the Amstel.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/elusive--

Don't forget the fireworks on new years eve!

'1st Dutch 420 Party-Event' Location announcement.

Monday, 14 January 2013
Written by MrLunk.

High my 420 minded friends !

The contract will be signed for sure soon...

I can reveal the location for the party now !

We will have our Protest 420 Smoke-Out first in the afternoon...
and then we move our butts to party location 'The Sand' near Trainstation Sloterdijk.

Transfer from Amsterdam CS to AMsterdam SLoterdijk by train is 2.10 Euro and takes approx 6 to 8 minutes
From Sloterdijk it's only a 5 minute walk to 'The Sand'.

There we have a fully eauiped party venue with a stage for our events ready for a great and very entertaining 'Dutch 420 Party' !!!

Band, DJ's, magic, ballet?, prizes to win and much more to elevate your mind...

BE THERE !!!!!!

Soon ticket presales will start and I will publish that info.

Ticket prices will be approx. 24.50 Euro.
Party estimated doors opening: 18.00PM
Event lasts untill approx: 01:00PM
Afterparty with DJ's lasts until 02:00AM or 04:00AM possibly.

The Sand website: http://www.thesand.nl/nightlife/videos

Google maps Location: http://goo.gl/maps/MCaQ9

Greetz,
Peter Lunk & Nol van Schaik


ams420

Local Amsterdam Breweries


Amsterdam is well known for several beer brands including Amstel and Heineken. However, the true Amsterdam beers are those that are brewed in the city. Let's visit a few local breweries together!


Brouwerij 't IJ



This brewery located next to a windmill on the east side of Amsterdam is a fun place to visit and their beers are extremely tasty too!

't IJ produces a pils and an amber as well as the double Natte and the triple Zatte. They also brew seasonal beers like the IJBok and PaasIJ. This brewery is known for using organic ingredients.

The brewery can be toured Friday through Sunday, check the website for times. 't IJ beers can be sampled at the brewery tasting room and large terrace which is open daily from 15:00-20:00, as well as at several bars around Amsterdam.

http://www.brouwerijhetij.nl
Funenkade 7, Amsterdam


Brouwerij De Prael


Photo credit: inyourpocket.com

Brouwerij De Prael opened in 2002 and is located in the heart of Amsterdam on Oudezijds Voorburgwal.

This brewery makes several tasty beers, and has a policy of naming their brews after famous Amsterdam singers. One of their most popular beers is the "Johnny" pils named after the local crooner Johnny Jordaan.

Visit their tasting room or take a tour of the brewery. Check the website for the most current opening hours.

http://www.deprael.nl
Oudezijds Voorburgwal 30, Amsterdam


Amsterdamsche Stoombierbrouwerij



Once a week beer is brewed in the Amsterdamsche Stoombierbrouwerij within the De Bekeerde Suster Cafe in the center of Amsterdam. This large modern brewery offers extensive tours and tastings in their bar and tasting room. Make a tour reservation by calling 020 4230112.

Amsterdamsche Stoombierbrouwerij
Kloveniersburgwal 6-8, Amsterdam




Brouwerij de 7 Deugden


Photo credit: veranderlab.nl

This new brewery is located in Amsterdam West and bases their beers on the seven virtues. Six of their beers are brewed year-round with an additional seasonal beer that changes seven times a year. These beers are interesting and have a unique combination of flavors.

Brouwerij de 7 Deugden brews can be purchased directly from the brewery and at shops around the Netherlands, check their website for more details.

Visitors can also make a reservation to tour this local brewery and taste beer and cheese with a group of up to 45 people. Prices are around €20 per person for groups of less than 15. And as a very special treat, you and your friends or colleagues can brew your own beer with help from the brewmaster.

http://www.de7deugden.nl
Osdorperweg 578, Amsterdam


Jopenkerk



Located in Haarlem just a few minutes on the train from Amsterdam is a new brewery that is making beer from traditional recipes. The fantastic Jopen brewery and restaurant is housed in an old church which makes for an impressive drinking ambiance. At the Jopenkerk most of their beers are available on tap.

Jopen brews some of our favorite beers. Their Jopen Hoppenbier follows an original Haarlem recipe from 1501. Another traditional beer is their Jopen Koyt which is brewed using "gruit" following a recipe from 1407. Gruit is a medieval herb blend that was used in beer before hops was introduced. Try the delicious Extra Stout and Ongelovige Thomas brews.

The serious beer lover must make a pilgrimage to the Jopenkerk!

http://www.jopen.nl
Gedempte Voldersgracht 2, Haarlem


't Arendsnest



If you would like to sample local Amsterdam brews as well as beers brewed all over the Netherlands, a visit to 't Arendsnest is a must. This charming bar serves beers of all kinds from more than 50 Dutch breweries.

http://www.arendsnest.nl
Herengracht 90, Amsterdam



http://www.awesomeamsterdam.com/articles/45/local-amsterdam-breweries

Amsterdam magazine -- Celebrating the City!

AMAG

Location: Amsterdam's City Hall.
Date: April 20, 2013- Time: 16.20
! THIS PROTEST IS FREE TO ATTEND !



#AMS420 - Host, Nol van Schaik


Last year we organized the first Amsterdam 4:20 Smoke Out, meant to trigger the resistance against the Weedpass and other repressive government plans against the entire Dutch coffeeshop culture.

Looking back at last year's AMS 4:20 brings back (s)weed memories, not only did we have a great manifestation, with a 1000+ protesters turning and rolling up, the event was the spark that ignited the protests against the Weedpass!

Although the Weedpass was not introduced in the whole country, a part of the failed Weedpass system is still being upheld in the Southern Provinces, where the coffeeshopstaff are still forced to refuse non-Dutch adults.

One of the reasons the Weedpass was not introduced nationwide was the resistance of several City Mayors in the rest of the country, with Amsterdam's Mayor van der Laan as their main man, he was the first Mayor to announce he would not refuse tourists in 'his' coffeeshops. His example was soon followed by the other big Cities and Towns with coffeeshops.

This years #AMS420 will be organized at the same place, same day, same time, but this year we will light our joints in honor of Mayor Eberhard van der Laan, for his stance against the exclusion of foreigners to one of Amsterdam's main attractions: The cannabis coffeeshops!



#AMS420 - 2012, was a success.


The theme for this years protest is to get the supply of cannabis to coffeeshops regulated and legalized, in other words, to open the “Backdoor” of the coffeeshops for cannabis products with an invoice, including taxes. We will make sure a backdoor is present.

Besides our main theme we will also take a stance against the upcoming 15 % THC limit, the planned closure of 70 coffeeshops in Amsterdam and the ongoing discrimination in the South.

We will also invite some of our colleagues from the Southern Provinces to describe their present situation, with the Resident criteria still being upheld in their coffeeshops. One can hardly imagine that a small country like the Netherlands made discrimination legal in 3 of our countries provinces.

That is why we are going for complete legalization of the coffeeshop supply line, only that will make most of the old and new restrictions unnecessary and/or outdated.

We hope we can make this manifestation as peaceful and effective as last years event, and we count on you and your friends to show up in numbers, to show Amsterdam and the world the resistance against the prohibition of cannabis is mounting, and we will not back down until we win!



#AMS420 - Organiser Peter Lunk


We expect a bigger turn up than last year, when we could not disclose the location earlier than a few hours before the event, this year we all know where and what, so help us get the word out for a huge turnout!

#AMS420 Organizer Peter Lunk is taking care of all preparations involved in the whole 4:20 event, there will be music, speakers and a poster/banner competition, plus, what we could not arrange last year, he has found us a place for a party in the evening, until the late hours!

We are game, are you?
Nol van Schaik.
#AMS420 Host.

Spreakers: Wernard Bruining, Nol van Schaik, Mario Lap, Peter Lunk.
DJ's : 'Shaman-E' & 'DJ4Way'
Live music: '420 Streetband'


Amsterdam 420 Smoke-Out

NORML UK 420 Smokeout

By James Tisdale

When the heartland of European cannabis reform is under threat do you think that the folk at NORML UK are just going to sit back at watch? Well the answer is a big fat no. This is the time when the UK must show its support to our Dutch neighbours across the channel, as well as fighting the good fight here on home soil. Following he success of our Amsterdam trip last December, NORML UK and Travelholics are to stage another.

Last year on the 20th April (420) Nol van Schaik, Peter Lunk and many others helped organise the first demonstration aimed at resisting legislation aimed at oppressing cannabis culture such as the wietpas (weed pass) in the provinces of Holland. It is due to showings like this and thanks to the integrity of Amsterdam’s Mayor Eberhard van der Laan that the wietpas was not implemented nationwide. However there are still many issues that need to be addressed in Holland with regards to the cannabis industry; Legislation is impending that may limit the amount of THC in any given strain sold in a coffee shop to 15%, there is the planned closure of 70 coffee shops in Amsterdam, continued discrimination in the Southern provinces of Holland, and a desire to push the industry in the right direction by opening and legitimising the ‘backdoor’ of coffee shops by introducing invoicing, and even welcoming taxation.

We will leave the UK Thursday 18th April in a luxury coach arriving in Amsterdam Friday mid-day and will depart Amsterdam sometime Sunday 21st April.


Amsterdam 420 NORML UK

Friday 19th April will be a ‘get to know Amsterdam day and night’. 4:20 organiser Peter Lunk will provide us with maps of the coffee shops that supported the CannaBus Tour 2012 some of the best coffee shops in Amsterdam. There will be a tour of The Cannabis College for those who wish to visit.

4:20 April 20th will be the main attraction; the bus will take us on a 35 min journey to Hemp City Haarlem where we will meet up with the main organisers and hosts Nol Van Schiak and Peter Lunk. We will have the privilege to share one or ten pipes before we head off back to Amsterdam where we will take part in the 4:20 smoke out.

The smoke out will begin to gather at four o’clock, lighting up at 420 and lasting approximately an hour. A festival then commences at another venue at 1800 and will end at 2300 before an after party commences and lasts until the early hours.

(For more details on the 420 festival celebrations see: www.ams420.nl)

Sunday the 21st will be spent relaxing in Haarlem’s 16 excellent coffee shops before heading back to Calais and finally the UK.

If you would like to book a place on this trip please visit the payment page via Travelholics.

And our Facebook group:

Hope to see you there.


norml-uk

Marijuana in the Netherlands: The Facts Are on the Table
by Maarten
on February 3, 2013


An odd little country

The Netherlands are sometimes seen as a test tube for the rest of the world, due to its high population density, with a diverse in societal composition. The country surprised the world by taking a step backwards in marijuana legislation where many other countries were moving forward. The weed pass legislation prevents those without a Dutch passport to purchase marijuana from coffeeshops in most of the Southern cities. This immediately caused a steep rise in the amount of street dealers, making for a grim atmosphere in the affected cities, where the citizens experienced much more nuisance than ever before.

This is not a full update on the weed pass, since it is apparently a slow process and news has been scarce; though quite some interesting things have happened since we’ve last reported on the topic.

How legalization makes crime disappear


Coffeeshop Kronkel in Nijmegen. Once again keeping non-Dutch customers off the streets.

Nijmegen – a city previously affected by the weed pass legislation – decided to revert back to the old policy. Non-Dutch citizens were once again allowed into Nijmegen’s coffeeshops. Within merely two to three hours after the fact, street dealers vanished from the city streets. Taking away their entire source of income, there was no reason for them to hang around.

Some of the street dealers were minors, others were drugsrunners from abroad. Both quickly set up entire networks dedicated to dealing marijuana. This situation caused local government to lose control over the sale of marijuana, and minors were one of the affected groups; where coffeeshops used an age restriction of 18, dealers were happy to sell to everyone. Additionally, street dealers often sell a wider variation of drugs, making marijuana once again a gateway drug. This is not at all the case with controlled sales through coffeeshops.

Elsewhere in the lands

Local governments feel that they are in a position to adapt the policy to their own cities, yet the specifics remain unclear. In the city of Eindhoven, allowing foreigners into coffeeshops remains a taboo; it’s surely not happening at this point.

In the city of Rotterdam, an attempted ban on smoking marijuana in public has failed; the public prosecutor won’t rest, and will appeal against this decision.

In a test case filed by a coffeeshops in Tilburg, the court ruled that municipalities should be allowed to force coffeeshops to ban non-Dutch citizens and those who aren’t a registered member of the coffeeshop.

Amsterdam’s mayor has stated that tourists and other visitors will be able to purchase marijuana in the city’s coffeeshops for now, and they intend to keep it that way.


Share and Stay High!


thestonedsociety

Why I am looking forward to the AMS 4:20 Protest and Festival. – #AMS420

Published February 3, 2013. | By Nol van Schaik.




We, Peter Lunk and myself, are in the middle of all preparations to make the 4:20 Festival happen, and that is a job, I can tell you that. Most of the work is being done by Peter Lunk, who’s medical and physical condition motivate him to put his available energy in cannabis legalization. He has arranged the venue, the music and some very attractive side events for the Festival, besides all arrangements for the 4:20 Protest Smoke Out.

My input in this event will be a speech at the protest, and the infotainment during the Festival, in other words, I will be some kind of Game Host to keep you informed and entertained during the four interactive hours of the Festival, with events taking off at 19.00 hrs. local time. (doors open at 18.00h)

Until a few years ago, I used to organize annual Harvest Parties in our first, huge coffeeshop, Willie Wortel. These parties were attended by around 200 persons, the place was packed every time.

I used to ‘invent’ a few nice competitions to keep the visitors busy during the whole event, and every year I managed to come up with a new game or skill-event.

With 15 years of Harvest Party experience, it will be my pleasure to entertain you with some fun and events on stage and in the rest of the venue, I am sure you will not be disappointed.

Last week, I came up with the idea to hold a real cannabis skills and knowledge competition during the 4:20 festival, for teams representing the country they live in. As I mentioned in an earlier article, I will not unveil the events for this International Cannabis Competition, it will be a surprise for all teams and the audience. The only thing we advice the team Captains is to select Cannathletes that know cannabis, and who can hold their smoke!

There will be 4 indivudual events, every Cannathlete can take part in one of these 4 events, the Captains select the person for each event. The fifth event will be a team event, including the team Captain.
To make sure every Cannathlete is ‘doped’, they will all have to take a bong hit before every event!
This will carefully be supervised by our very own Dope-up Commitee, people that refuse the bong hit(s) will be taken out of the competition, and can not take part in the fifth and final event! We kindly ask the Cannathletes to refrain from drinking alcohol until after the competitions, it will be tough! We expect all participants in this competition to respect the decision of the Judges.

Our Judges and Timekeepers will observe and valuate the efforts of the Cannathletes closely.

Please, do not send me suggestions for events, we can do this!

So far, The Netherlands, Germany, France, Luxembourg and the UK will be represented on the 4:20 Festival to compete in the first ever International Cannabis Competition for teams. We will allow 3 more teams to register, we want to start this pilot event with 8 teams, next year we will have no restrictions on the number of teams, we might just have to make if a full weekend event!

May the best team win!

Nol van Schaik.

AMS 4:20 Host.

Note!: The whole event will be recorded on video, to be used for internet exposure, and a documentary about this event, from protest to after party!!


http://www.nolvanschaik.nl/uncategorized...festival-ams420

A grand tour of Amsterdam Coffeeshops.

Take a look thanks to George 47 from the ACD forum.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=YwmcI2sV29Y

Some old friends; some new places!! Very Nice Trip!

Led Zeppelin in Amsterdam

Sort of ;->

If you're interested in going to school in the Netherlands, you might want to check this out. It written for British students, but most of the article would also apply to students in other countries. Taking a year of studies in Amsterdam seems like a winner to me!


http://www.independent.co.uk/student/st ... 32234.html

A Video Visit to Willie Wortel's Indica in Haarlem.

Ganjaland: A Documentary About Amsterdam's Famous Coffeeshops

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WRJtHcDA7iM

This is the trailer; the full documentary will be out in 2014!

"Throughout 2013, 24H is exploring all corners of Amsterdam.

Its second edition stops off in the district of Oost, presenting all that the area has to offer in a blistering 24-hour period. Be you an old Amsterdammer, new to the city, or a passing tourist, the area’s theatres, museums, clubs, shops and many other famously Amsterdam institutions will open their doors and throw up some special surprises – perfect if you live in the neighbourhood or are just keen to enjoy new experiences east of the Amstel."

http://www.iamsterdam.com/~/link.aspx?_id=64936D2FF86D4534B6659351897A3FCB&_z=z

Glories Restored, Rijksmuseum Is Reopening After 10 Years


Iwan Baan

Rembrandt’s “Night Watch” (1642), right, at the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam, which is to reopen on April 13. More Photos »

By CAROL VOGEL
Published: April 1, 2013


AMSTERDAM — Since it opened in 1885, the Rijksmuseum here has been the greatest treasure house of the Dutch Golden Age, brimming with paintings by masters like Rembrandt, Vermeer, Jan Steen and Franz Hals. A hulking building designed by Pierre Cuypers, it is an eccentric melding of Gothic and Renaissance architecture that expanded over the years as nondescript additions and courtyards were built to create more space. The result was an antiquated and inefficient structure that could not handle the museum’s growing collection and attendance, so in 2003 it closed for a much-needed makeover.

Now the Rijksmuseum is poised to reopen on April 13, after a renovation that took five years longer than expected and cost nearly $500 million, tens of millions over its original budget. Still, the museum has regained much of its 19th-century grandeur, paired with 21st-century lighting and technology. Asked why the job took so long, Wim Pijbes, the Rijksmuseum’s director, said the project proved far more complicated than expected.

“The museum is monumental, and this was a complete transformation,” he said in an interview in his commodious office, housed in a red brick villa with views of the museum. “Amsterdam is a city of canals, and you cannot dig a hole in the ground without getting wet. It’s also a national museum, and since we’re dealing with the government, things take time.”

The Spanish architects Cruz y Ortiz, who won an architectural competition to renovate the museum, undid years of renovations, restoring Cuypers’s original layout of the galleries, along with ornamental details that had been obliterated over the years. That straightforward design and faithfulness to tradition struck a chord with museum officials.

“We didn’t need to build an extension,” Mr. Pijbes said. “Big is big enough. It’s the same size as it was before. I’m a foodie, but I don’t like too many courses. I want us to focus and only have the best of the best. I believe in the strength of simplicity.” The redone Rijksmuseum has a new entrance, an Asian pavilion, an outdoor exhibition space, shops, restaurants, educational facilities and a renovated library.

Gone are the mismatched additions. And in a dramatic innovation, two inner courtyards have been transformed into a single atrium by sinking them below ground level. A soaring, light-filled space of more than 24,000 square feet, with glass roofs and polished Portuguese stone floors, it is the public face of the museum, and like the cavernous Turbine Hall at the Tate Modern in London, it can be visited without an entrance ticket. (Museum admission will cost around $19.) Like Turbine Hall, it will be an urban hangout, with performances and, eventually, art installations.

Mr. Pijbes said he expected the renovated museum to attract 1.75 million to 2 million visitors annually, which could vault the Rijksmuseum to roughly 20th among museums worldwide. In its last fully open year in 2002, it drew 1.3 million people. (The museum’s Phillips wing did remain open during the renovation, displaying a selection of greatest hits — including Rembrandt’s “Night Watch” and “Jewish Bride,” and Vermeer’s “Milkmaid” — and nearly one million visitors flocked there last year, according to The Art Newspaper’s annual attendance report.)

On a recent chilly afternoon, the museum was buzzing with curators and installers. Taco Dibbits, the director of collections, said that curators were seeking to tell a story through the installation.

“Instead of fighting the building, we have embraced it and accepted its eccentricities,” he said. “This was built as a national museum, not just an art museum, and we want the public to get a sense of history, seeing the paintings, furniture and applied arts that were all conceived around the same time.”

So rather than separate paintings from, say, tapestries or furniture or silver, as they had before, the curators have decided to tell the history of Dutch art from the Middle Ages to the 21st century through some 8,000 works on four floors.

“See how beautiful a 17th-century cabinet made at the same time as a painting by Rembrandt and a silver platter by Lutma look,” Mr. Dibbits said, referring to a prominent 17th-century silversmith. “These artists were friends, and it’s a way for people to really get a sense of the period.” Every work is labeled in both Dutch and English.

Aside from the traditional galleries, there are rooms of curiosities, like dollhouses and 18th-century ship models, and one gallery is devoted to a room with 18th-century magic lanterns. (The Paris designer Jean-Michel Wilmotte, also known for his work at the Louvre, assisted with the interior design of the galleries). One of the most striking spaces is a vast three-story cast-iron art historical library that will be open to the public for the first time. Visitors will be handed iPads, because museum officials felt that putting computers in the room would “contaminate it visually,” Mr. Dibbits said.

It took artisans nine years to paint the decorative pillars and ceiling in the museum’s grand front hall, where a sweeping wall of stained-glass windows has also been restored.

Yet the heart of the museum is the Gallery of Honor, a colonnaded space lined with paintings by Rembrandt, Vermeer, Hals and Steen, as well as Pieter de Hooch, Aelbert Cuyp and Johannes Verspronck.

Yet not everything is necessarily of the period. The British artist Richard Wright was commissioned to design ceilings on either side of Rembrandt’s “Night Watch” that are vast networks of black stars. It is the museum’s only permanent site-specific commission.

Despite the outsize nature of the face lift, the Rijksmuseum’s answer to the Louvre’s “Mona Lisa” will hang in its time-honored spot at the end of the Gallery of Honor.

“Cuypers designed the entire museum around ‘Night Watch,’ and we wanted to respect that,” Mr. Dibbits said. “It’s still the place the public can see it best.”


NYTimes

Amsterdam to call for legalised marijuana cultivation

Wednesday 03 April 2013


Police and officials clear out a marijuana plantation in Amsterdam. Photo: DutchNews.nl


Amsterdam city council is to urge the national government to give local authorities the power to allow legal marijuana protection to legally supply cannabis cafes.

A majority of city councillors have voted in favour of the plan, which they say would remove the criminal element from the supply chain.

Currently, the city’s so-called coffee shops are licensed to sell small amounts of marijuana and cannabis for personal use. And while possession is not legal, the police turn an official blind eye to people having less than five grammes.


Organised crime

But the shops are largely supplied by big drugs traders and the council wants to set up its own plantations to keep out the criminal element. The city councils in Groningen, Utrecht and Rotterdam have already made similar pleas.

Nevertheless, the likelihood of this happening is virtually zero because justice minister Ivo Opstelten is totally opposed to the idea, the Parool pointed out.

He argues it would break not only current Dutch drugs laws but international and EU treaties as well.


Grow your own

Last week it emerged that the ruling VVD and Labour party are divided on plans to get tough on ‘growshops’, shops where supplies for growing marijuana are sold - mainly to private individuals.

The VVD wants to continue with the previous government’s plans to make ‘preparations and enabling illegal marijuana cultivation’ a criminal offence.

Most opposition parties back the proposal, meaning there is enough support in both houses of parliament to ensure the proposal becomes law without the Labour party.

VVD parliamentarian Ard van der Steur said the new law would make it difficult to supply coffee shops but that parliament should not ignore opportunities to tackle organised crime.

At the moment, the police are powerless to act if they find a building kitted out to grow marijuana, complete with lamps and watering systems, but no plants, he said. ‘The new law will make this possible.’

DutchNews

- See more at: http://www.dutchnews.nl/news/archives/20...h.gLehdFlT.dpuf

After 10 years, the Rijksmuseum is almost open! What the papers say

Friday 05 April 2013



The new-look 'gallery of honour'. Photo: Iwan Baan


On the 13th of April, Amsterdams' Rijksmuseum will open its door after a 10-year rennovation programme. According to the newspapers it was worth the wait.

The Volkskrant is jubilant. ‘Perfection has been reached almost everywhere’ it writes. After ten years of cogitating, head scratching, restoring and categorising, looking for cohesion and meaning the Rijksmuseum has done it’, the paper says.

Objectives

Ten years was a long time, the paper admits, but they were needed to marry a number of objectives: displaying the history of the Netherlands through art and keeping happy the foreign visitor who wants to see great art but is not necessarily interested in its place in Dutch history. Another challenge, VK writes, was to form a cohesive whole out of a collection that originated in widely varied donations and legates.

The paper provides some statistics as well: the renovation took ten years, one year more than it took to build the Rijksmuseum. The original budget was €272.5m; the renovation ended up costing €375m. The main building is 44,500 square metres, with an exhibition space of 21,500 square metres. The route past all the exhibits is 1.5 kilometres long.

Wondrous

Trouw headlines its article with ‘Wondrously beautiful and oh so familiar’. ‘Is this going to be a story full of superlatives?’, the papers asks itself before going into raptures about ‘how beautifully arranged together!’ the Vermeers are.

But, the paper adds, the real dazzler is the combination of the paintings and the building. The harmony between the two is well, wondrous to behold. ‘The Rijksmuseum feels good. It makes you happy’, Trouw writes.

NRC has the only dissenting voice in the chorus of contentment. It quotes 76 year-old architect Moshé Zwarts who dislikes the museum’s ‘intense and Catholic character’.

‘We are talking about the most important museum in the Netherlands. Great Dutch artists like Rembrandt and Frans Hals would turn in their graves if they knew where they’d been all this time,' the paper quotes him as saying. 'People laugh when I say this but I mean it. And what has this renovation done? It is emphasising the museum’s Catholic character even more’.

Curatorial revolution

'At last. There they were, all my old friends, missed these past 10 years, propped up against the wall, waiting their turn to be back where they belonged: on the walls of the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam’, historian Simon Schama writes in the FT.

Schama, who calls the renovation ‘exhilarating brilliant’, praises the museum’s director of exhibits Taco Dibbets and it general-director Wim Pijbes for having achieved a ‘curatorial revolution’.

‘When you see those early Rembrandts or the great mannerist ‘massacre of the Innocents’ of Cornelis van Haarlem with its ballet of twisting rumps, you will also encounter, as would those who would first have seen them, the silver, the weapons and cabinets that were the furniture of the culture that made those pictures possible. You will enter the Netherlands at a particular moment’.

- See more at: http://www.dutchnews.nl/news/archives/2013/04/the_rijks_is_almost_open_what.php#sthash.G0KnM36J.dpuf


Dutch News

Amsterdam Museums Interactive Map


Amsterdam Restaurants Interactive Map


Two maps to help with Amsterdam Travel Planning

Quirks of Amsterdam, Revealed During Lunch


Herman Wouters for The New York Times

New housing on Westerdok, a man-made island in Amsterdam.


By RUSSELL SHORTO
Published: April 19, 2013


The Haarlemmerstraat in Amsterdam is a narrow enough thoroughfare that from my office window I can easily see into the shops across the street. There is the olive oil boutique, with its rows of metal barrels and its sign inside saying “Check Your Oil,” and the coffee shop that young, nattily dressed tourists wander into to get licitly high. (Most visitors know that in Amsterdam a cafe is for coffee, and a coffee shop is for marijuana.) Looking up, I have to crane my neck to take in the succession of gable types on the brick facades — step, bell, spout — that signal the changing fashions among real estate developers during the city’s golden age in the 17th century.

Multimedia

Map
Amsterdam


Herman Wouters for The New York Times
Cyclists on Haarlemmerstraat.

The Haarlemmerstraat is hardly unique. In a city that was essentially carved out of peat bogs, space has always been at a premium. Curiously, the earlier occupants of the building where I work (well, a few centuries earlier) had all the room in the world. The building is called the West India House. In the 1600s the directors of the Dutch West India Company ran a business from here that extended to the Caribbean, South America and North America, and whose products included salt, timber, tar, sugar and slaves. From this building they set up overseas outposts, one of which, New Amsterdam, they located at the southern tip of Manhattan Island. I like to think of their meeting room, across the courtyard from my office, as the place where New York City was conceived.

I work in the West India House because I’m the director of an American culture center called the John Adams Institute, which, when it was founded 25 years ago, was located here because of the building’s historic connection to America. (A serendipitous aspect of the location for me personally is that before moving to Amsterdam I wrote a book, “The Island at the Center of the World,” about the Dutch founding of New York; when I later came to work in the West India House, a friend said, “It’s like you crawled up inside your own book.”)

In the seven years I’ve lived in Amsterdam, I often find myself pondering the concept of space. For all the vastness of the world the Dutch once lorded over, they have restricted themselves to this small patch of it, a patch that remains cramped and ever-threatened by water. You could pick a neighborhood of the city at random, and you’d find that it would illustrate these two things: how Amsterdam has always reached outward, and how its inhabitants are constantly, often ingeniously, rebuilding, reinventing, repurposing their little corner of the earth.

Take for example my lunchtime walk. If I turn right on the Haarlemmerstraat, I pass an ethnic stew of restaurants — Tibetan, Thai, French, Argentine — and come out onto a little plein (square) where I sometimes get lunch at a herring kiosk. Traditional Dutch herring is raw and lightly preserved in brine and served on a roll with onions and sweet pickles. It harkens back to the city’s first age of expansion, when in the 1500s its ships gained mastery of the North Sea fisheries.

A few steps north take you to the edge of the harbor, which was once fabled for its “forest of masts,” a turn of phrase that suggests both the city’s global reach back then and the fact that in its golden age Amsterdam’s urban infrastructure actually extended out onto the water. The body of water has a curious Dutch name: it’s called the IJ; the syllable is pronounced something like “eye,” and the pearly white building directly on the opposite shore, with a roofline that gives it the look of an opening eye, is the new EYE Film Museum, part of the city’s effort to repurpose the waterfront and, with its constantly rotating calendar of films from around the world, an indication that Amsterdam’s focus is still out there.

Were you to walk east from here you’d arrive at Central Station, the city’s rail hub; but unless I’m actually taking a train I avoid that chaos. Instead, heading west brings me to a stretch of stylish new apartment buildings extending straight out into the IJ, each with its own quayside lined with pleasure boats. This arm of land is a man-made island, called Westerdok, built in the 19th century to accommodate Central Station. The politicians in The Hague decided to put the station smack on the waterfront without factoring in the space that would be needed. The island was created as a kind of parking lot for trains. That was no longer necessary by the late 20th century, whereupon it was reinvented as a neighborhood.


Next to Westerdok is a cluster of three more artificial islands whose distinct character derives from the fact that they were created in the 17th century. In the process of digging the canals that make up what is today Amsterdam’s most distinguishing topographical feature, the city planners of the golden age found they had a lot of extra dirt. They solved that problem by using it to create more living space in the harbor. Crossing a little bridge onto Prinseneiland, the prettiest of the three, is one of my favorite things to do in the city, for even though you’re still in Amsterdam, you get an instantaneous feeling of having stepped into a 17th-century fishing village. Little wooden drawbridges connect these three islands. In nice weather I’ll bring my broodje haring (herring sandwich) to a bench here and contemplate the big old sailing ships and barges anchored at the inlets.


Herman Wouters for The New York Times
Historic warehouses turned into modern apartments on Prinseneiland.


Herman Wouters for The New York Times
Central Station.


Back on the mainland, I swing up onto the Haarlemmerstraat again (actually, it changes name midway, and here is called the Haarlemmerdijk). Thirty years ago this was one of the city’s rougher neighborhoods, but a public-private initiative revitalized it so that it is now a hip shopping street.

I frequently run into my friend Friso Broeksma, an architect who lives on Prinseneiland, on the Haarlemmerdijk. Recently we strolled down the street and I pointed out some of the less attractive features. Here and there the line of old brick facades is broken by 1980s-era buildings that just don’t fit. “Well, they do and they don’t,” Friso said. The architects didn’t always match the older aesthetic, but Friso took me through one of the little archways in these newer structures, and instantly we were in an oasis. “When they decided to improve the area, they thought a lot about affordable housing,” he said. Behind the tony shops of the Haarlemmerdijk are quiet complexes of town houses and apartment buildings, sculptured around pretty little gardens. Tulips were just coming up. In all the years I’d been in the neighborhood, I’d never been back here. The idea in the 1980s was the same as in the 17th century: find new ways to maximize the space.

Of course, space is at a premium in cities everywhere. But few places have the constraints of Dutch cities. The buildings along the Haarlemmerstraat highlight one of the challenges that have always faced residents. Postcards of Amsterdam canal houses showcase their photogenic tilt. But the tilt isn’t there for charm; it’s an indication of seriously unstable subsoil. You can’t build very high in Amsterdam, and even three stories may result in structural shifting to the point that a house’s foundation has to be redone.

Heading back to my office brings me to the place where the street crosses over the Prinsengracht, one of the main canals that define the city center. The old locks that dominate this spot where the canal grid meets the harbor underscore the point that while, like the tilting houses, the canals are seen today through the prism of quaintness, they were built out of necessity. In a country where much of the land is below sea level, managing water flow was and remains a basic element of survival.

Several years ago a Dutch writer named Matthijs van Boxsel wrote a curious little book called “The Encyclopedia of Stupidity,” in which he cataloged the varieties of human folly and highlighted as a prime example the jerry-rigging his countrymen have done to stay dry in a place that is essentially a vast river delta. But if it seems ridiculous to alter the environment so drastically to make it fit for human habitation, that critique seems applicable far beyond the Dutch borders, does it not? And, indeed, the “stupidity” of the Dutch has spawned an ingenuity that, in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy and with the certain knowledge that other such calamities are yet to come, is much in demand around the world. Walking Amsterdam is, among many other things, an atmospheric object lesson in how humans solve problems that they themselves created.

Russell Shorto is the author of the forthcoming “Amsterdam: A History of the World’s Most Liberal City.”

NYTimes

Councils up pressure for legal cannabis production

Saturday 27 April 2013

At least 10 of the Netherlands’ local councils have already or will soon submit plans to the justice ministry asking to be allowed to approve commercial marijuana growing.

Research by newspaper Trouw showed that councils are highly critical of official government policy on marijuana and say legalised production would remove organised crime from the equation.

‘Marijuana does not fall from the sky,’ Heerlen mayor Paul Depla told the paper. ‘If the minister wants to tackle illegal plantations, then the government has to take over growing marijuana itself.’


Cities

Venlo, Zwijndrecht, Eindhoven, Tilburg, Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Utrecht and The Hague have all called for regulated growing, Trouw said.

In addition, 19 of the 40 local authority areas contacted by Trouw are not implementing government policy which states tourists have to be refused entry to coffee shops - the cafes where small amounts of cannabis can be bought for personal use.

Since January 1, coffee shops are required by law to ensure only official residents of the Netherlands are allowed to buy cannabis products. However, the legislation gives scope for 'local circumstances' to be taken into account.


Smokers

New research published by the Trimbos addiction research clinic at the weekend showed the Dutch are moderate cannabis users compared with some other EU countries.

Intensive Dutch users go through 310 grammes in a year, just under the average in the seven countries investigated. England and Wales topped the list with 374 grammes a year.

Dutch use of cannabis is low across all age-groups, Trimbos researcher Franz Trautmann told RTL news.


Blind eye

‘It is a little higher than the European average among youngsters but lower among adults,’ he said. ‘In other words, our policy of turning a blind eye does no lead to more usage. Youngsters experiment but then lots of them stop.’

The research also showed nine out of 10 Dutch cannabis users mix their marijuana with tobacco. By contrast, 30% of Bulgarians, Czechs and Britons smoke the drug neat.

Just 9% of Dutch marijuana users said they can access hard drugs via their regular supplier - usually dealers who hang around in coffee shops. In the other countries, between 25% and 50% of marijuana users said their regular dealers also sold other drugs.


DutchNews

- See more at: http://www.dutchnews.nl/news/archives/20...h.9eCAnEfS.dpuf

Excalibur: The tallest climbing wall from Netherlands

November 2, 2010


If you’re into extreme hobbies, especially climbing, we have something special for you today. If you like to climb, I’m sure that you climbed all sorts of walls before, but what about the tallest climbing wall in the world? Would you be brave enough to climb it?As for the tallest climbing wall in the world, it’s located in Amsterdam, Netherlands, and it’s 37 meters tall or 121 ft. Interesting thing about this wall is that it is called Excalibur, and that it has a strange shape. You would expect to see a straight wall for climbing, but Excalibur is slightly bended and therefore a greater challenge to all the climbers. This wall is climbable from all sides and great challenge for all wall climbers out there. There’s not a better feeling that standing on top of a 37 meter tall wall and watching the world bellow you. That’s something special and it’s definitely something that you should experience.Of course, if you’re afraid of heights, there’s a safety one mattress down bellow. One mattress might not be enough, but it’s good to know that it’s there.If you’re into climbing you should visit Excalibur and try it on your own, but if you’re afraid of heights, make sure that you check out these pictures.









Climbing Wall

KONINGINNEDAG AMSTERDAM

Queen's Day 2011

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Queen's Day 2013

Queen's Day Music 2013