Dutch  Drug  Policy

The main objective of Dutch drug policy is to avoid or limit the risks of drug use to the individual, his or her immediate environment and society. Demand for drugs is discouraged and the risks of drug use to the individual and his or her immediate environment are reduced by a professional care and prevention policy, while an active fight against organized crime combats the supply of drugs. The Dutch drug policy also aims to maintain public order and combat nuisance associated with drug use.

Tolerated,  not  legal

A number of coffee shops have come into existence over the years. In these outlets, sales of soft drugs are not prosecuted under certain conditions. The reasons for this are the Dutch desire to distinguish between the hard and soft drug markets, to avoid criminalizing users and to maintain administrative convenience. The government wants to prevent cannabis users from turning to sales outlets where other types of drugs are available that they may be tempted to, and where they are also more likely to come into contact with criminal circles. The majority of coffee shops are small-scale, cafe-style businesses (according to the definition of the Public Prosecutions Department, they are also alcohol-free) which aim to appeal to a variety of customers from a broad cross-section of the population. Most offer a wide range of hashish and marijuana products from different countries and of varying quality.

For more extensive information on the Dutch Drug Policy, please visit the below websites.

Links

• Dutch Ministry Of Foreign Affairs
• Trimbos Instituut
• Cedro - Center For Drug Research
• Drug Policy Alliance
  
• Schaffer Library Of Drug Policy