The Cigarette-Cannabis Cocktail Challenge

Contrary to accepted notions about the Dutch being enamored with cannabis, it is perhaps the only place in the world where smokers seek the cigarette in marijuana, rather than the marijuana in cigarettes. Traditionally, European and Dutch cannabis users mix the weed with tobacco, a kind of cocktail drawn up by Amsterdam's famed coffee shops; in a cone shaped inhaler called a vaporiser. An apt term for a high.

By July 1 however, the Dutch Government will implement a ban on cigarette smoking in bars, restaurants and coffee shops in compliance with European Union law. It is one of the last countries to implement the ban. But the ban covers only cigarettes, not marijuana. The Netherlands has adopted the position, based on research studies, that there is greater health risk in cigarette smoking than cannabis use. Coffee shops are thus placed in a dilemma of offering cannabis mixed with other herbs rather than tobacco, and they fear the absence of tobacco taste will cause a decline in patronage. This is a downer for the coffee shops.

Cannabis is illegal in the Netherlands, but the Dutch realize that people will smoke these anyway that it would be best to do it orderly. There are no prosecutions for possessing up to 5 grams, and coffee shops are licensed to have up to 500 grams in stock. This odd manner of implementing laws may appear eccentric, but the tolerance policies of the Netherlands is a result of its practice of social liberalism since 1848, when the dominance of liberal thought was enshrined in the country's constitution. Cannabis growers are arrested and prosecuted, since they possess more than the licensed 500 grams. However, the state has authorized an organization, the Cannabis Retailers Union, to obtain and distribute the merchandise legally. Thus, Cannabis planting is criminal, pushing is legal, and smoking is tolerated. This sounds like a bad joke.

There are apprehensions about non-compliance with the law, but closures as a result of violations and consequent revocation of licenses to operate, are expected to make it effective in eliminating nicotine addiction from the marijuana habit. Undoubtedly, a novel way of promoting health among the citizens from the Dutch perspective.

Tourists lament the end of an era and woefully express that "a little bit of Amsterdam will die". That "little bit" statement speaks a great truth. In making the Dutch healthier by nicotine reduction or elimination, pure cannabis intake will instead make them brain dead.

Harrrrrwwwwwk...Twooooooph...Ting!