What is Netherlands policy on marijuana?

Answer 1

Officially marijuana is outlawed, but since 1972 the government has permitted marijuana to be sold in coffee shops. This policy is known as the "Gedoogbeleid" (tolerance policy). The Dutch, who have a reputation for thrift, argue that the money needed to enforce the ban on marijuana is better spent dealing with hard drugs.

Usage of marijuana in the Netherlands is much lower than in the United States (17% compared to 38% in 2001) but is about on par with the rest of Western Europe.

Lately, the Dutch have been questioning their policy. For one thing, the average strength of the marijuana being sold in the coffee shops has doubled in the past decade. Another issue is the amount of "drug tourism" the country gets. Lately the government have increased regulations on the concentration of cannibis and banned coffee shops from selling marijuana to tourists.