News of: Monday, October 29 2012,
The new Dutch coalition government intends to cancel the introduction of the 'Wietpas', as planned by the previous government.
Clients of coffeeshops will no longer have to register with the coffeeshop where they buy soft drugs.
What remains, however, is that buyers will have to show they are legal residents of the Netherlands.
The agreement between the 2 parties forming the new government also stipulates the measures will be taken 'in consultation with the municipalities concerned, and if necessary in stages, in accordance with the local coffeeshop and public safety policy, so that the new rules will be tailored to local needs' (translation into English by Simply Amsterdam...).
It remains to be seen what this latter phrase will actually means.
The big cities in the Netherlands have already complained that the implementation of the Wietpas so far has lead to public safety problems (such as increased street trading).
Specifically, Amsterdam has complained the Wietpas will have a contrary effect on public safety in Amsterdam, because of the many tourists visiting coffeeshops.
The wording of the coaltion agreement, especially the part mentioning the tailoring to local needs, may mean some kind of exception may be made for Amsterdam. However, this is merely speculation until the measures are actually put in place.
The Social Democrats (PvdA) and the Conservative party (VVD) today presented their coalition agreement, with which they intend to govern the country for the next 4 years.
The coalition agreement will also have to pass Parliament. Therefore, details may change, but it is not expected there will be many, or any major changes.
