cannabisnews.com: Dutch Look To Drive-Thru Drug Shops Dutch Look To Drive-Thru Drug Shops Posted by FoM on May 01, 2001 at 16:49:26 PT Dutch law tolerates smoking marijuana Source: CNN Dutch authorities plan to open two drive-through marijuana shops next year to attract German tourists. The shops will be situated in the southern town of Venlo, just a few kilometres from the border with Germany. Townspeople are working out the final details to submit to the city council, a spokeswoman told the Associated Press. Venlo has become a popular destination for Germans who drive to buy so-called soft drugs that are openly sold at coffee shops in The Netherlands. While Dutch law does not permit the sale or use of soft drugs, it tolerates use in small quantities. Municipal authorities, however, are expressing concern about the onslaught of visitors who only visit for a smoke. Venlo's five smoking establishments are unable to meet the demand from the thousands of weekly buyers from Germany. Local officials said they want to expand business while keeping drug-related crime outside residential areas. Spokeswoman Tamira Hankman said: "The new coffee shops need to be outside the city and they need to be easily accessible. "Our city centre has been flooded with these tourists and the plan is part of an offensive to make it safer." The new sales points will not offer the same comforts as traditional Dutch coffee shops where visitors can enjoy a cup of coffee and a joint, but no hard drugs or liquor. If the idea is approved by the city council, the drive-through shops are expected to open next year after consultations with German municipal officials, Hankman said. Venlo, The Netherlands Source: CNN (US Web) Published: May 1, 2001Copyright: 2001 Cable News Network, Inc. Contact: cnn.feedback cnn.com Forum: http://community.cnn.com/ Website http://www.cnn.com/ Feedback: http://cnn.com/feedback/ Related Articles & Web Site:Amsterdam Coffee Shop Directoryhttp://www.coffeeshop.freeuk.com/Amsterdam's Smokin' Coffee Shops http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread8031.shtmlThe Real Sin City of Amsterdam http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread7113.shtml END SNIP --> Snipped Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #13 posted by Nate H. on May 02, 2001 at 06:16:25 PT Ethan's interview I would ask him about medical and recreational pot policies across Europe. I understand, for example, that Switzerland is considering outright legalization while Spain no longer has any form of criminal punishment for marijuana users. I would ask if there is any hope of an all-Europe decriminalization effort in the near future, and what Holland's role in such an effort would be. [ Post Comment ] Comment #12 posted by J.R. Bob Dobbs on May 02, 2001 at 05:06:07 PT How come nobody ever worries about beer tourism? >>Municipal authorities, however, are expressing concern about the onslaught of visitors who only visit for a smoke. Perhaps there will be people who drive to Germany to buy their herb... but while they're there, they'll probably drop money elsewhere, on food, gas, and perhaps other things. Here's a question for the Dutchman - what kind of pressure does the USA put on the Dutch to change their policies? [ Post Comment ] Comment #11 posted by FoM on May 01, 2001 at 23:10:27 PT Jorma Jorma, I have both this book in the link I posted and the Journal of Cannabis Therapeutics. Handbook of Psychotropic Herbshttp://www.freedomtoexhale.com/ermd.htm [ Post Comment ] Comment #10 posted by jorma nash on May 01, 2001 at 23:01:06 PT: interview questions for Dr Russo interview questions for Dr Russo...As compared to the United States government's tendency to only allow studieslikely to come to conclusions that will support it's political agenda,what are the Dutch doing to help promote and conduct unbiased research?Of the negative social effects typically associated to cannabis use,which do you feel might be more properly attributed to the substance's prohibited status?~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~i had heard of your Journal of Cannabis Therapeutics project.if nobody will publish articles on this topic,publish them yourself. I like the do-it-yourself attitude.although i'm certainly not in the medical field by any stretch,i'd be quite interested in reading this journal, how will it be distributed, and will it be available online? [ Post Comment ] Comment #9 posted by Imprint on May 01, 2001 at 22:07:20 PT: Questions for the Dr. Russo Dr. Russo,What an opportunity! I would like to contribute. 1. Americans are constantly feed half-truths and propaganda with regard to the Dutch approach to drugs. Is there any kind of plan to bring the truth to us, like a documentary on this subject?2. Has tourism been a problem? In other words has there been so many foreign visitors for the marijuana that other assets in your country over looked? I hope these questions are helpful. [ Post Comment ] Comment #8 posted by Abner on May 01, 2001 at 19:59:48 PT Drive Thru Also called "Fast Score outlets".Sativa KingMcWeedaldsCrack in the BoxPaca BellKentucky Dried IndicaReefa Hut [ Post Comment ] Comment #7 posted by meagain on May 01, 2001 at 19:29:11 PT Ticket to ride? Ask if they would start a campaign to move us all there. America doesn't want us here and we don't want to be here. Maybe we could get federal funding??? Maybe call it the "Save Amerika Campaign" [ Post Comment ] Comment #6 posted by Not To Worry on May 01, 2001 at 19:03:36 PT Questions >>I have an appointment to interview the Dutch Minister of the Office of Medicinal Cannabis in the Hague in June for the Journal of Cannabis Therapeutics.I would love to hear your suggestions as to questions he might be asked I guess one of my biggest questions is about International law, and how it adversely legitimate research. The prohibitionists know that they can always fall back on their "no scientific evidence" line as long as it is banned internationally. I would also be interested in knowing if different strains of marijuana are more effective than others for various medical conditions. [ Post Comment ] Comment #5 posted by FoM on May 01, 2001 at 18:14:29 PT One More Since the use of Cannabis is tolerated how do you handle a situation when a grower that supplies coffee shops is caught? What would be a normal charge? Do they go to jail? [ Post Comment ] Comment #4 posted by FoM on May 01, 2001 at 18:03:00 PT Here Goes Clogged up never! Ok I got a couple but they might be to vague or hard to answer but here goes.Do HIV and HCV infected people use Cannabis and is it helping with their quality of life?What benefits to society do you see by your liberal use of Cannabis?There's two questions and I have a million more running around in my mind. When they stop running I'll pick a few more and post them! [ Post Comment ] Comment #3 posted by Ethan Russo, MD on May 01, 2001 at 17:47:14 PT: Questions Anything is fair game from my standpoint. If you wish not to clog up this area, people could E-mail their questions to me at:erusso blackfoot.net [ Post Comment ] Comment #2 posted by FoM on May 01, 2001 at 17:26:05 PT Great News! That's great news Dr. Russo! I'll think of a question and post it when I have one. Are these specifically medical questions? My Medical Marijuana Page [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by Ethan Russo, MD on May 01, 2001 at 16:57:45 PT: Interview Opportunity Dear Cannabisnews.com Friends, I have an appointment to interview the Dutch Minister of the Office of Medicinal Cannabis in the Hague in June for the Journal of Cannabis Therapeutics. I would love to hear your suggestions as to questions he might be asked. This is a real opportunity to compare and contrast Dutch and Amerikan attitudes. Thanks for your help.Ethan [ Post Comment ] Post Comment Name: Optional Password: E-Mail: Subject: Comment: [Please refrain from using profanity in your message] Link URL: Link Title: