amsterdam-drugs legal or not?

**Philippus Flavius Homovallumus** · 06-16-2009, 10:26

Originally Posted by LittleGrizzly

Sums it up. We have a word for it 'gedogen', which means not enforcing the law when it doesn't suit us. The Netherlands is a bit of an odd country when it comes to certain things, as long as it's practical it doesn't have to make sense, dutch logic.

Im guessing the English phrase for it would be decriminalised. Not legal but not prosecuted either...

Edit: Distant dream that British politicians would ever be so practical on the issue...

No, decriminalised would mean it was legal. At no point has Canabis been "decriminalised" over here.

**Ice** · 06-16-2009, 15:52

Originally Posted by Philipvs Vallindervs Calicvla

No, decriminalised would mean it was legal. At no point has Canabis been "decriminalised" over here.

I'm pretty sure decriminalization does not equate to making something legal. IIRC, all it means is that police stop targeting people with a low amount of the said substance/not for profit transfers and go after the big sellers/growers.

**Philippus Flavius Homovallumus** · 06-16-2009, 16:09

Originally Posted by Ice

I'm pretty sure decriminalization does not equate to making something legal. IIRC, all it means is that police stop targeting people with a low amount of the said substance/not for profit transfers and go after the big sellers/growers.

Over here decriminalisation means declassifying the drug so it is legal.

**Banquo's Ghost** · 06-16-2009, 18:58

Originally Posted by Philipvs Vallindervs Calicvla

Over here decriminalisation means declassifying the drug so it is legal.

I'm not sure that you are correct.

IIRC, when cannabis was reclassified downwards, this meant possession was decriminalised. This did not make the drug legal, but removed criminal sanctions for being caught with it. In other words, possession meant one could be cautioned, or fined at worst - which are civil law punishments, not criminal.

**Fixiwee** · 06-17-2009, 10:57

Originally Posted by Philipvs Vallindervs Calicvla

Over here decriminalisation means declassifying the drug so it is legal.

What you mean is that THC is illegal de jure as the law still says it, but de facto it's legal since noone applies that law anymore.
The Dutch Opium Act in accordence with the EU states clearly that everything with the hemp plant is illigal except for the seeds.

Again, the difference lies between de jure and de facto. Bottom line; It's illegal, but tolerated.

**AlexanderSextus** · 06-19-2009, 06:56

It's illegal to have even 1 gram of weed

So how is it that you can smoke openly? Do cops actually fine ppl for smoking weed?

Dutch law is weird, it just so happens the weirdness of dutch law benefits a cannabis connoisseur like me.

**Fragony** · 06-19-2009, 07:18

Originally Posted by AlexanderSextus

So how is it that you can smoke openly? Do cops actually fine ppl for smoking weed?

Nope, tourists love asking them for a light. It's really not that complicated, it's illegal, but the law isn't enforced, so you can do as you please. But don't think about smoking one on a commercial terras, or where there are many kids, that is not done, you will be asked to leave. In parks, streets, beaches, no problem.

**Ice** · 06-21-2009, 17:41

Originally Posted by Fragony

Nope, tourists love asking them for a light. It's really not that complicated, it's illegal, but the law isn't enforced, so you can do as you please. But don't think about smoking one on a commercial terras, or where there are many kids, that is not done, you will be asked to leave. In parks, streets, beaches, no problem.

I wish I was Dutch

**Moros** · 06-22-2009, 14:03

Originally Posted by Fragony

Nope, tourists love asking them for a light. It's really not that complicated, it's illegal, but the law isn't enforced, so you can do as you please. But don't think about smoking one on a commercial terras, or where there are many kids, that is not done, you will be asked to leave. In parks, streets, beaches, no problem.

Did that in Belgium too...