THE COFFEE SHOP SITUATION

Few insiders, let alone outsiders, know the real dope on Amsterdam's marijuana scene. in 1976, the Health Ministry of Holland decided that the crime around selling drugs was a greater threat than the health problem caused to the drug user. So in order to separate marijuana from the underworld, they decriminalized it and cannabis became tolerated--but not technically legalized--by the government. Many coffee shops opened up, and in 1996 the first real licenses were given out. Respectable coffee-shop owners cheered this approach and welcomed the stability and security of being legitimate, even if it meant paying more taxes.

For the trainspotters, today there are 294 coffee shops in Amsterdam; around a quarter of the total in the whole of the Netherlands.

The Parool, Amsterdam's leading newspaper, asked the mayor in a recent interview how much a gram of marijuana cost in his city "15 guiders a gram," he answered. In other countries people would be surprised that the mayor knows how much a bag of weed is, but, in Holland, the man shaping an intelligent drug policy knows the facts.

Meanwhile, the rest of the world continues its unending "war on drugs." Last year it was French President Jacques Chirac who blamed Holland for its drug problems, even though, according to Time magazine, Holland has fewer addicts per thousand than France and supplies fewer drugs to France than Spain, Pakistan and Morocco.

This year it was the U. S. drug-czar Barry McCaffery who came to town to celebrate America's successful drug policy. Although one may have expected a drug czar to be curious about coffee shops here, he found no need to visit one because it was a "bad photo opportunity."

He went even further, calling Holland's progressive drug policy "an unmitigated disaster", citing higher crime in Holland as the proof. Huh? I don't know what he smokes, but this country is safe, and there is no place in the Western world with more violence than America. But I guess when you're fighting a "war", the truth sometimes has to be suppressed. Besides, Holland makes such a nice whipping boy.

In a bow to foreign pressure, the government reduced the amount of soft drugs an individual can possess from 30 grams to 5 grams. But maybe Holland should go further. if they recriminalize drugs, maybe they can wipe them out altogether, just like in France and America.

While we're at it, maybe France can give us some advice on how to end strikes and reduce unemployment, and the U. S. can give us a few pointers about stopping violence in schools.

REGGAE-THEMED COFFEE SHOP NEAR THE SINGAL CANAL

REALLY?

 

No matter what happens in the long run, you can still go into any "coffee shop", proudly march up to the bartender, and announce in a loud voice: "I want to buy some hashish, and then I'm going to smoke it." Most places will even have rolling papers and filter tips on the bar. The filter tip doesn't filter anything, but it gives you something to hold on to, and there's no wasted roach.

A bag typically costs 25 guilders, and the better the stuff, the less you get. There are several types of hash and pot, which have been bred to produce different highs. Each coffee shop has its own name for its weed, even if it comes from the same place, just don't let the big menu scare you. (Yes, they'll have a menu.)

Hash comes in two varieties: blond and black. The black hash hits a little harder and knocks you out a little more. Locals smoke the lighter stuff. As far as marijuana goes, the Netherlands-grown stuff is usually the strongest. By the way, if you buy a stickie (a joint) from a coffee shop, expect it rolled with tobacco. But even rolled with tobacco, it will be stronger than the Indiana ditch weed you've been smoking at home.

Any place that calls itself a "coffee shop" is saying three things: 1) "I have pot and hash for you to buy." 2) "For the price of a coffee or beer, you may sit here and smoke your own as well." 3) "You may smoke on my outdoor terrace, even in front of the police." if the place calls itself a cafe', however, that means stick to tobacco.

FLOATING COFFEE SHOP ON THE EDGE OF A CANAL

Excerpted from AMSTERDAM BOOM CHICAGO newspaper 1999