In a recent development, Germany’s parliament has given the green light to a new law for cannabis legalization. This puts Germany in a more progressive position than the Netherlands. Indeed, in our country, cannabis is still officially illegal and only tolerated. Machteld Busz, director of Mainline, a foundation aimed at preventing harm from drug use, now sees Germany as a possible role model for the Netherlands. But exactly what regulation does Germany make when it comes to cannabis? We went to investigate.

Legalization in Germany: An overview

Although medicinal cannabis has been available by prescription in Germany since 2017, recreational use was prohibited until now. The new law, which takes effect April 1, legalizes cannabis under specific conditions. For example, adults in Germany are allowed to use a maximum of 25 grams of cannabis on the street, with the exception of areas near schools, sports fields and shopping centers. In addition, in our neighboring country, you may keep a maximum of 50 grams of cannabis at home, and you are allowed to grow three cannabis plants at home.

Cannabis social clubs and their role

As of July 1, “cannabis social clubs” will open their doors, membership in which is mandatory. But note that these are not coffee shops as we know them in the Netherlands. Only members have the right to grow cannabis plants and purchase weed at the social clubs. 

Moreover, these clubs may have a maximum of 500 members. They are also not allowed to make a profit. One obvious difference from the Netherlands is that Germany will not allow coffeeshops. This makes the regulated social clubs the only legal outlets for marijuana. It is important to note that these clubs will be exclusively open to residents of the country.

Restrictions on cannabis legalization in Germany

Despite these remarkable steps toward legalization, cannabis users in Germany are not completely free. Some proposed laws for further legalization were rejected. Critics express concern that the new law could encourage cannabis use among young people. This would have potential negative effects on their development.

Political debates and minimum age

In response to these concerns, some German policymakers are advocating raising the minimum age for buying cannabis to 21, instead of 18. At the same time, the German government is considering decriminalizing the use of cannabis. This would give police more room to focus on serious crime.

Supporters believe in government regulation

Supporters of the law believe government regulation will reduce the black market and reduce crime. They feel this could better protect marijuana users from harmful substances and pesticides. In the Netherlands, the tolerance policy is seen as half legalization. This leads to problems, according to critics, since there is no clear separation between legal and illegal practices.

The Dutch cannabis experiment: A search for regulation

The Dutch cannabis experiment, started in Tilburg and Breda, in which 14 coffee shops receive legal cannabis under government supervision, aims to examine the effects of regulated cannabis production on crime and public health.

Experts highlight problems in the Netherlands

While Germany deliberately did not take a cue from the Netherlands, where legalization of drugs is not considered successful, experts point to the problems in the Netherlands arising from the tolerance construction. They stress that problems do not necessarily arise from legalization, but rather from inadequate regulation.

Emeritus professor of criminal law Theo de Roos mentions the backdoor problem in the Netherlands, where coffee shops are allowed to sell cannabis, but producers are not allowed to supply it to them. This results in a lack of control over production, which Machteld Busz of Mainline says has led to large-scale delivery of marijuana by large producers into the criminal circuit.

Germany as possible example for the Netherlands

The question arises whether Germany can be an example for the Netherlands with its new law. The Netherlands, where the process of legalization is hindered by different interests and parties in the cannabis market, could possibly learn from Germany’s approach.

Nevertheless, practice in Germany must show how effective their approach is and whether the Netherlands can actually learn lessons from these developments. It is clear that both countries are looking for ways to regulate cannabis use and minimize its harmful effects, albeit with different approaches and outcomes.

High quality at The Border

Longing for good quality cannabis in the capital? Then visit The Border, the coffee shop next to Amsterdamse Bos.

For years, the Netherlands has been known for its tolerance policy towards soft drugs, especially cannabis. However, the legalisation of adult-use cannabis sales has been a long time coming. After numerous delays and obstacles, it is now official: in December, the Netherlands will start the cannabis experiment, a pilot programme aimed at regulating cannabis sales and assessing whether legal cannabis sales are feasible and desirable. Read more here about this initiative that is finally getting underway after many obstacles.

The Cannabis Experiment: regulating the cannabis industry

The weed experiment, also known as the cannabis experiment, is a historic change in Dutch attitudes towards cannabis. Its main aim is to set up a ‘closed coffeeshop chain’ in selected municipalities. This means that the government regulates the production, distribution and sale of cannabis, thereby taking cannabis out of the illegal circuit. This experiment aims not only to assess the effects on safety, public health and crime, but also to test whether regulating the cannabis industry is feasible at all.

Tilburg and Breda: pioneers in cannabis experiment

The start of the experiment will take place in the cities of Tilburg and Breda, where two selected producers will grow and supply legal cannabis to coffee shops. These municipalities are the first to be allowed to participate in the cannabis trial. Later, eight more municipalities and a district of Amsterdam are expected to follow. This then means that, as a user, you will thus soon be able to buy legal cannabis.

A legislative paradox

You might have thought that buying cannabis was already legal in the Netherlands. But looking more carefully at the matter, it is a bit more complex.

A striking feature of current policy is that coffee shops in the Netherlands are allowed to sell cannabis to consumers, but they are not allowed to buy it legally. This has led to a paradox in which the sale of cannabis is tolerated, but its procurement is often done through illegal channels. This lack of regulation is said to not only compromise the quality and safety of cannabis, but also contributes to crime.

The cannabis trial will change this by allowing coffee shops in participating municipalities to legally purchase cannabis from designated producers. The government will oversee the supply and quality of cannabis. Due to this, many users are sceptical about the quality that will be supplied. During the experiment, coffee shops can also continue to purchase from their existing, mostly illegal suppliers, without legal consequences.

Setbacks and delays

Although the launch of the cannabis experiment in December 2023 is a milestone, the experiment has faced many setbacks. The original plan was to launch much earlier, but there were major obstacles hindering progress.

One of the biggest problems was the difficulty for producers in obtaining bank accounts for their businesses. Several of the cultivators said they were opposed by banks. Banks were reluctant to do business with parties involved in the cannabis industry as it is still not considered legal. Although the government promised to find solutions, it remains unclear whether some cultivators still have this problem.

Nevertheless, cities in the south of the Netherlands seem to be ready for the launch of the cannabis trial in December, despite the obstacles of recent years.

Impact of the cannabis trial

The cannabis trial has significant implications for both the Netherlands and the European Union. The government has pointed out that the Dutch tolerance policy has opened the door for organised crime groups to become the primary source of cannabis supply. Legalisation of cannabis sales in the Netherlands may lead to changes in the cannabis industry. The government indicates that this could lead to increased tax revenues, improved product quality and opportunities for investment.

From a European perspective, the pilot programme could become a model for other European countries aiming to legalise cannabis. Germany recently passed a bill to legalise possession, cultivation and the establishment of cannabis social clubs. If the Netherlands wants to further legalise cannabis, it will have to cooperate with the European Commission to ensure that the proposed legislation is in line with international and EU regulations.

What can we expect in December?

From 13 December, you can buy cannabis regulated by the government in certain coffee shops in Breda and Tilburg, and thus grown and sourced legally. The expectation is that users will soon weigh in on the quality of this weed. 

Will the weed experiment succeed?

The upcoming launch of the cannabis trial in the Netherlands in December is a major development in the discussion on cannabis legalisation in Europe. With this initiative, the Netherlands hopes to improve the quality and safety of the cannabis industry. 

Stop by The Border

At The Border, you can enjoy the high quality cannabis you have come to expect from us. We are located in an ideal location on the edge of the Amsterdamse Bos. Stop by and enjoy countless varieties of cannabis.

The debate on the harmfulness of various drugs, including cannabis, has always been an interesting topic. People have different opinions on which substance is actually the most harmful to health and society as a whole. Recently, some leading doctors have shared their insights, emphasising that alcohol and tobacco, not cannabis, should be considered the most harmful substances.

Alcohol: A prime threat

Dr Anand Akhil, a physician at the Cleveland Clinic, points out the disturbing fact that alcohol consumption is associated with more than 200 health problems and diseases. These include depression, anxiety, dementia, cancer, heart and liver disease, and bone disease. This is a serious list of conditions that make it evident that moderation is important when it comes to alcohol intake. In fact, the US Department of Agriculture and Health and Human Services sets guidelines for safe alcohol consumption, such as a maximum of two drinks a day for men and one drink for women.

It turns out that even moderate alcohol consumption can damage health. However, there are no guidelines for safe cannabis consumption. Is this because cannabis is less harmful?

Cigarettes and Tobacco: A path to destruction

Tobacco is also known for its harmful effects on health. Tobacco smoking has been linked to serious cancers, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and cardiovascular disease. However, Dr Kevin Most of Northwestern Central DuPage Hospital, stresses that the harms of tobacco use can be largely reversed if people stop smoking at a young age.

But what makes tobacco so harmful compared to cannabis? According to some experts, tobacco has no benefit at all, even in small amounts. This is in direct contrast to alcohol, of which some studies suggest that moderate consumption, a glass of wine for example, can have benefits to health.

Cannabis: The least harmful option?

It is clear that both alcohol and tobacco carry significant health risks. In comparison, the aforementioned doctors rank cannabis harmfulness lower than alcohol and tobacco. This is especially true when cannabis is used in appropriate amounts and in a controlled environment.

Dr Most emphasises the importance of cannabis as medicine, especially for patients undergoing chemotherapy. It can help maintain appetite and ensures that patients get enough nutrients. There are also medical uses for cannabis in treating chronic pain, anxiety, trauma, insomnia and muscle disorders.

Of course, it is important to note that using cannabis is not without risk, especially for young adults as their brains are not yet fully developed. It can exacerbate mental health problems and affect memory and focus.

A new take on the harmfulness of cannabis

Comparing the harmfulness of different drugs is complex and depends on several factors. Moderate cannabis use seems to be less harmful than moderate alcohol use. For one-time overuse, alcohol seems to have the upper hand when it comes to health risks.

However, it is important to remember that excessive use of both alcohol and cannabis can be harmful, with alcohol being significantly more damaging. These insights highlight the importance of responsibility and moderation in the use of all substances.

What does this mean for society?

The fact that several doctors consider cannabis to be less harmful compared to alcohol and tobacco sheds new light on the debate on drug use. The positive view of cannabis compared to tobacco and alcohol suggests that it is time to rethink our drug policies. Instead of focusing on repression, we could consider investing more resources in education, prevention and treatment of drug addiction.

For quality weed visit The Border

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A ban on smoking joints was recently introduced in the entire Red Light District, including Dam Square, Damrak and Nieuwmarkt. Both residents and visitors to the area must abide by this ban. If someone still chooses to light up a joint, a fine of 100 euros may be imposed. The municipality has stated that the fine will only be imposed if a first warning is not complied with.

The introduction of this policy has evoked several reactions from city residents. Residents in the center of the city of Amsterdam have expressed their views regarding the new policy.

Smoking ban won’t help

There is disagreement among many Amsterdam residents about the ban on the use of soft drugs in the city center. According to them, this ban is at odds with the long-standing freedom for which Amsterdam is known. Others who oppose the ban on cannabis mainly have doubts about its enforcement. They experience little nuisance from people using soft drugs and think the municipality would do better to focus on enforcing existing prohibitions, such as urinating in public, drug dealing, public drunkenness, noise pollution and litter. Instead of introducing new rules, current rules should be better enforced.

A downtown resident commented that he does not experience nuisance from blowers, but he is bothered by the crowds caused by tourism. These crowds often consist of large noisy groups, which causes annoyance to residents. However, he believes that banning smoking on the streets will not change this. He rarely sees tourists using weed on the streets, as they do so mainly in coffee shops and on the terraces. Moreover, according to him, people who smoke are quiet and cause little noise pollution. 

Another resident advocates measures that are in the best interests of residents, rather than anti-tourist policies that sometimes penalize residents. He stresses that the smoking ban should be a temporary rule and that it should be reconsidered if it does not yield positive results, in order to preserve residents’ freedom.

Other residents predict that now that the ban has been implemented, weed smokers will simply move down a street. This could lead to an excess of smokers in the canal belt.

Supporters of the smoking ban

There are also proponents of the smoking ban who believe that the decision to ban drug use in the inner city is a positive step. They believe that this ban will help curb drug tourism and improve the living environment of residents. They believe the ban will restore the city’s appeal.

A city center resident is very positive about the new policy. He is repeatedly surprised by the large number of people who openly use cannabis in public places at various times. 

A mother, who also lives in the city center, agrees. She believes that prohibition will actually make a difference. She notes that significant changes have taken place in the city center in recent years. According to her, the smell of marijuana is everywhere on the streets. Children are regularly confronted with this and find it very unpleasant.

No consensus among Amsterdam residents

Although there are different opinions about the ban on smoking cannabis in the center of Amsterdam, the majority do not seem to agree with the ban. They predict that this policy will have no effect on reducing nuisances that the municipality is aiming for. Others, however, believe that the ban will have a positive impact on the livability and image of the city.

It is clear that the ban on cannabis smoking in the city center of Amsterdam has caused a discussion about personal freedom, the livability of the city and the image of Amsterdam. It is a complex issue where different interests are at odds with each other. How the ban will ultimately function and whether the municipality can enforce it, is something we will have to wait and see.

Want to smoke outside?

Fortunately, the smoking ban only applies in the city center. If you like to smoke outside, you can visit The Border. This location, located at the edge of the Amsterdamse Bos, is perfect for shopping for high-quality weed and enjoying your joint in the fresh air. Stop by The Border and experience it for yourself!

The Red Light District in Amsterdam is known for its lively nightlife, but the ever-growing population of rowdy British tourists has caused concern among locals. Booze and drugs are said to cause nuisance especially among this group of tourists. To address these problems, the City of Amsterdam recently launched the “Stay Away” campaign to ensure that this group of tourists stays away from the Red Light District.

Problems with British tourists

Particularly in recent years, the Red Light District has experienced an increase in disruptive British tourists. These tourists allegedly go to the Red Light District primarily to party, drink, and smoke weed. They often cause problems such as loud noise, vandalism, and drunkenness. These problems negatively affect local residents and businesses in the area.

To address these problems, the City of Amsterdam decided to launch a campaign targeting this specific group of tourists.

The “Stay Away” campaign

The “Stay Away” campaign targets British tourists who come to Amsterdam to party and visit the Red Light District. This effort by the council focuses on creating awareness among these tourists about the impact of their behavior on locals and businesses. It uses various marketing and communication tools to get this message across.

The campaign includes posters and flyers distributed in hotels and hostels in the center of Amsterdam. These posters and flyers contain information about the negative impact of these tourists’ behavior on the local community. Advertisements are also placed on social media platforms such as Facebook and Instagram targeting this specific group of tourists.

When Britons search on related terms, they are shown warning ads highlighting the risks and consequences of nuisance and excessive alcohol and drug use, including fines, arrest, a criminal record, hospitalization and health damage.

The campaign shows a young man collapsing over a bench and being taken away in an ambulance, while another part of the campaign shows a man being handcuffed by police and fingerprinted. The overlapping text warns visitors looking for a night out on the town, drinking, and smoking cannabis in Amsterdam of possible fines, hospitalization, criminal records, and health damage.

Part of broader plan for a safer city

The “Stay away” campaign is part of a broader plan to make Amsterdam’s inner city, particularly the Red Light District, safer. Amsterdam is simultaneously launching the “How to Amsterdam” campaign to inform visitors already in the city via social media and warning signs on the streets about the prohibition on urinating in public, noise pollution, excessive drunkenness and buying drugs from street dealers. 

There also seem to be plans to ban prostitution in the Red Light District and move it to a zone outside the city centre where more regulation and better control is possible.

Moreover, from May it will be forbidden to smoke a joint in the Red Light District.  A measure that surprises many tourists and locals. Is smoking cannabis really the cause of nuisance?

Reactions to the ‘Stay Away’ campaign

The “Stay Away” campaign has received both positive and negative reactions. Some people feel that the campaign is a necessary step to address the problems with nuisance British tourists. Others, however, feel that the campaign is too generalizing and that it lumps all British tourists together. After all, there are plenty of Brits who visit the Red Light District. They smoke a joint in a coffee shop, and behave normally.

British media have also reacted to the campaign. Some media accuse Amsterdam of discrimination and claim that the campaign targets all British tourists, not just the troublesome ones. Others fear that this measure will tarnish Amsterdam’s image and reduce tourism. This, of course, affects the existence of coffee shops.

However, the City of Amsterdam has stated that the campaign is aimed at a specific group of tourists who cause nuisance in the Red Light District, not all tourists.

Looking for a coffee shop in a peaceful environment?

Do you want to enjoy a peaceful environment without nuisance? Then come to Coffeeshop The Border at the edge of the Amsterdamse Bos! Unlike the busy Red Light District, we offer a relaxed atmosphere where you can enjoy our high-quality cannabis products. We stand for quality, safety and a great experience. Come by and find out for yourself!

The national cannabis experiment has been in the pipeline for several years. So far, however, it has not yet started. This year, the government has once again announced that the cannabis experiment has been postponed. This time until the second quarter of 2023. The elected producers also feel that this time frame is not realistic. Read about the problems they face here.

What is the cannabis experiment?

The cannabis experiment is an experiment designed to find out what the effect would be of legalizing cannabis. There are 10 producers and 10 municipalities participating in the experiment. 10 chosen producers are to supply coffee shops in the 10 municipalities, including Breda and Tilburg, with legal cannabis for 4 years. 

The government wants to find out what effect legal cannabis has on public health, crime, and security within the municipalities. The rationale behind this is that when cannabis is grown legally by appointed producers, there will be less illegal cultivation. This will reduce the criminal activity involved. Also, under legal cultivation, there is more control over the quality of the cannabis.

Yet a number of coffee shops in various municipalities have abandoned this experiment due to the quality of the cannabis in particular. They are not convinced of the quality that the appointed producers will deliver, and by using this legal weed that may not be up to scratch, they do not want to stimulate the illegal cannabis market. They indicate that they would like to sell their own illegal cannabis in addition to the legal product. However, this is not possible within the experiment.

Postponement of the national cannabis experiment

Although the cannabis experiment was agreed upon back in 2017, it has still not started. The start of the experiment was scheduled for 2021. This proved to be an unrealistic goal for producers, after which the cannabis experiment was postponed, this time until 2022. 

Now it appears that it will not be feasible to start the cannabis experiment this year either, causing great frustration among the population, producers and coffee shops. But, also within the parliament questions are being raised about the delays of the experiment.

Now it seems the start of the experiment is scheduled for the second quarter of 2023. This was claimed by the Ministry of Health in a letter to the second chamber.

The problems

There are a number of different explanations for the delayed national cannabis experiment. These obstacles are hoped to be resolved by 2023 so that coffee shops can sell legal weed.

First, there is a shortage of different types of cannabis that meet the quality requirements of the cannabis trial. The reason given by the parliament is that it took longer than planned to find the right producers. And of course, without coffee shops with a supply of legal weed, the trial cannot start.

Another big hurdle is opening bank accounts for the suppliers. This does not appear to have been possible so far. This is because banks have strict rules to prevent fraud, money laundering and other criminal activities. Since large-scale cannabis cultivation is not legal, banks see this as an obstacle. The Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Health are working with Dutch banks to find solutions.

Because of these obstacles, 9 out of 10 suppliers do not feel comfortable starting up in the short term. Consequently, all 9 have sent a letter to Ministers Kuipers of Public Health, and Yesilgöz of Justice and Security, to raise the necessity of realistic planning. 

The planning for 2023

The cannabis experiment is now scheduled for the second quarter of 2023. Participating coffee shops of the experiment will then be able to sell legal weed. This will be preceded by a 6-week transition phase, during which the coffee shops can sell their remaining illegal cannabis supply along with the legal cannabis. After the 6 weeks, only the legal cannabis may be purchased in these coffee shops by visitors.

What’s next?

Although it looks like the cannabis experiment can start in the second quarter of 2023, this is highly dependent on solving the problems mentioned above. Before the end of 2022, the Dutch parliament will discuss whether this planning is feasible. So for now, we wait and see!

In the Netherlands, people are able to consume cannabis. In Germany, however, this is not yet the case. The German coalition wants to follow the Netherlands in the legalisation of cannabis and decided last year that a policy change is due. Although the coalition, consisting of the SPD, Groenen and FDP parties, have decided this, the opposition is throwing a spanner in the works.

The opposition indicates that EU and Schengen agreements, also signed by Germany, would block the present-day legalisation of cannabis. Nevertheless, there is still talk within the German parliament of legalising cannabis by 2023. 

New investigation into cannabis regulation

The commotion originated from an opposition politician, Stephan Pilsinger. He believes the legalisation of cannabis is illegal. He also finds tolerance policies unacceptable. His motivation is to protect German youth and counteract black market trade.

This is the reason why he has requested an investigation within the scientific department of the German parliament. This investigation should reveal whether the two agreements would stand in the way of the new cannabis policy.

Now that the investigation has been completed, the experts have indicated that cannabis may violate the two EU and Schengen laws. What happens now?

What does the EU law say?

The EU agreement that is the subject of this controversy is the one that all member states signed in 2004. It states that manufacturing, offering and selling drugs is to be criminalised. Violations of this agreement ought to be punished by member states.

It is understood that cannabis is included in this convention. In fact, it references an official list of illegal stimulants drawn up in 1971 where cannabis is explicitly mentioned.

What does the Schengen agreement state?

But not only is the EU regulation violated, according to Pilsinger, but also the Schengen Agreement is breached. The Schengen agreement, like the EU law, states that the export and sale of drugs within member states is not allowed.

If someone does not comply with these regulations, the member state should prosecute that individual.

How come people are allowed to consume cannabis in the Netherlands?

If you are now thinking, “But how is it possible that we can use cannabis in the Netherlands?”, you aren’t the only one. After all, we are also member states of both the EU and Schengen.

What people often are unaware of is that cannabis has not been legalised in the Netherlands. The production, sale, and consumption of this soft drug is still legally prohibited. However, the Netherlands has a policy of tolerance. This means that cannabis can be sold and used under strict conditions. If these strict rules, such as having a maximum of 5 grams of weed, are breached, then you can be criminally charged.

In reality, cannabis consumption in the Netherlands is hardly ever criminalised, so you would almost think that the soft drug is legal.