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Fri, 22 Oct 2021 14:30:28 +0200

hans@social.woefdram.nl

You'd think that would be the Netherlands. And you'd be wrong...

Some 20 years ago I had to explian to a Spanish girl that public use of cannabis was much more normal in Spain (at least in San Sebastian at that time) than in Amsterdam. I had to push myself through thick clouds of weed and hashies to get inside cafés, something I've never ever experienced in the Netherlands, other than in coffeeshops.

There was a time when we were liberal in soft drugs, but those days are far behind us. Let's hope that what Luxemburg does, will send a much needed wake-up call.

The Guardian wrote the following post Fri, 22 Oct 2021 14:20:03 +0200

Luxembourg becomes first in Europe to legalise growing and using cannabis

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/oct/22/luxembourg-first-in-europe-to-legalise-growing-and-using-cannabis

#TheGuardian #RSS #News #Bot #Luxembourg #Worldnews #Cannabis #Europe #Drugs

show all 10 comments

Fri, 22 Oct 2021 14:48:04 +0200

Adam Hunt

gander22h@diasp.org

All legal here in Canada, but you still don't see it on the streets a lot.

Fri, 22 Oct 2021 14:49:45 +0200

Hans van Zijst

hans@social.woefdram.nl

I noticed that when I visited Canada in 2019 indeed. Canada seems to be a lot more pragmatic and rational than we.

Fri, 22 Oct 2021 14:53:10 +0200

Adam Hunt

gander22h@diasp.org

We do our best.

Fri, 22 Oct 2021 15:01:03 +0200

They are even talking about setting it free in Germany

Fri, 22 Oct 2021 15:04:07 +0200

Hans van Zijst

hans@social.woefdram.nl

Our "gedoogbeleid", as mentioned in the article, means that we can legally grow up to 5 plants per household. But as soon as you harvest, they're no longer plants, but weed. And each plant will give you a lot more than 5 grams, which is the limit for "gedogen" (or is it 3 grams, I'm not sure...). So you go from legal to criminal as soon as you harvest.

And think about coffeeshops. They can sell up to 5 (or 3..?) grams legally, but they're not allowed to purchase. So coffeeshops are forced to commit fraud, because you need your paperwork for the tax man, but those papers can't show that you do illegal stuff like purchasing the products you sell.

The "gedoogbeleid" was a reasonable idea back in the days, but it's turned into something completely absurd.

Fri, 22 Oct 2021 15:07:26 +0200

Adam Hunt

gander22h@diasp.org

Sounds like it needs rationalizing.

Fri, 22 Oct 2021 15:11:04 +0200

Hans van Zijst

hans@social.woefdram.nl

Urgently, yes.

I've heard the term "narco state" lately when people talk about our country. I suggest we start fixing that by finally legalizing cannabis, so that at least that's no longer a market for criminals. After all, why would you buy your weed from a dodgy guy on a scooter if you can buy the tested product in a shop?

Fri, 22 Oct 2021 15:18:53 +0200

Adam Hunt

gander22h@diasp.org

Legalizing it here was the key step, then you get legal supplies and retailers. It forces out organized crime, too, of course.

Fri, 22 Oct 2021 15:23:50 +0200

Hans van Zijst

hans@social.woefdram.nl

And the health risks decrease, because the products will need to meet certain standards. No toxic fertilizers or pesticides, no hairspray to make it sticky.

Fri, 22 Oct 2021 15:40:38 +0200

It's 5 gram b.t.w., over here they suggest 6 grams. In Berlin you will not get fined with up to 15 gram.