Representatives of the owners of Amsterdam's coffee shops -- where marijuana is openly sold and smoked -- have been locked in negotiations with city officials ever since they became concerned that they'd be forced to close, along with hundreds of bars in the city, during Euro 2000 because of possible soccer hooliganism.

Meetings have taken place with the Dutch justice department, local police officials and the local commission which regulates the coffee shops and issues licenses for the selling and smoking of marijuana.

During the negotiations, representatives of marijuana growers and sellers have told city officials that everyone would be better off if the coffee shops remain open and as many soccer fans as possible visit them.

``Fortunately, we have made them see sense,'' said Roland Dam, founder of Amsterdam's Cannabis College, which provides information on the industrial, medicinal and recreational uses of marijuana.

``There is always less trouble when cannabis is involved. I mean, have you ever heard of anyone smoking a joint and then starting a riot? Keeping the coffee shops open is good news for the city and the tournament as a whole.''

Under Dutch law, owners of coffee shops or those involved in marijuana manufacture are not allowed to directly encourage its usage but have been allowed to point to the wider benefits it could bring to Euro 2000.

Officially, marijuana is not legal in the Netherlands but is decriminalized, with authorities turning a blind eye to its use. Millions of people visit the city each year, which has become famous for offering one of the widest selections of marijuana in the world that can be smoked without fear of arrest.

``We are not saying that fans should come and smoke,'' emphasized Dam. ``But we are saying that smoking a joint is likely to contribute towards a peaceful tournament. People will be very relaxed, they will be more objective about the games and they will also become a bit more tolerant if their team loses.''

There are around 230 coffee shops in Amsterdam and the average cost of a bag of cannabis is around $23 for a five-gram bag. Soccer fans have been warned they will not be allowed to drink alcohol or smoke marijuana on the street, and that while bars will remain open downtown, they will be closed around the soccer grounds.

Among the handful of customers at the Dutch Flowers coffee shop Thursday there was relief that the coffee shops would remain open but dread at the arrival of thousands of soccer fans.

``I'm hoping there's not going to be a lot of violence,'' said Paul, an Australian backpacker traveling around Europe. ``But which teams are playing and when does it begin?'' he asked through a puff of smoke.

``Who cares who wins so long as it's Holland?'' said Gary, a local resident. ``It should be fun. I hope the fans have a good smoke and just love each other.''

Amsterdam
Posted: June 8, 2000
For more Guardian news go to: http://www.guardian.co.uk/
Distributed by Scripps Howard News Service

Europe Through The Back Door
http://www.ricksteves.com/0899amsterdam.htm

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