Amsterdam - It is good that the weed pass will not enter, because the only coffee shop in Etten-Leur, Northern Light X, was not ready yet..
We have not been informed by the municipality at all,” an employee of coffee Northern Light X says. “Clients often ask how what the deal is with the weed pass.” The only information I can give, I get from newspapers or the news.” Now it has become clear that the weed pass is not forthcoming.
The employee does want to talk with the newspaper, albeit anonymously. His boss, the owner of the business, is not available for comment. The employee regrets that the Opium Act is amended.
”Now you still have control over foreign drug tourists. Soon we have to refuse them because they are not a member. Street traders will immediately grab their chance and welcome the Belgians and Eastern blockers with open arms at the corner of the street,” the employee says.
”The worst thing is that local residents relate those street traders to us. For them it is all the same. Thus, the coffee shop is seen in a bad light yet again.” According to the smoke vendor, the supply of the illegal dealer will be much larger than that of the coffee shop.”Street vendors offer cocaine and GHB directly. One thing we absolutely do not sell.”
Due to the new law, taking effect in May, coffee shops are allowed to have no more than two thousand members. It is up to the coffee shop to select the members. ”In economic terms, heavy users are of course the most profitable. That is unfortunate. For example, there are young people who come every night for a joint and a cup of tea. That is something we might have to refuse because a customer who buys two grams each day is more profitable. The result is that those people will blame the coffee shop for this problem. Before you know, there is a provocative slogan on the front door.”
Soft drug users Mireille Hofstad (39) and Peter de Boer (27) buy a gram of hash per week on average at Northern Light X
Heeren: ”If it had become required to buy a weed pass, I would have done so. I would like to follow the legal way,” she explains.
De Boer agrees, but when he hears that the municipality will also gain insight in the membership list of the coffee shop, he starts to doubt. ”With my job, there is a possibility I could go work for the municipality. Who knows, they might check first whether I am on the list,” he explains his doubts.
That you are allowed to be a member of one coffee shop only, the couple does not mind. ”When we go to Amsterdam for a day and we want to smoke pot, we can bring some hash from Etten-Leur. I am not going to risk getting caught on the street,” de Boer says.
