Amsterdam- 'Entering the weed pass is not possible at all. You people in Maastricht should know that, in the city where the Treaty of Maastricht was signed. A treaty in which we find the free movement of persons, goods and services very important. As a result, you cannot exclude Belgians or French or whoever, right?'

This is what the famous criminal lawyer Gerard Spong from Amsterdam said in Maastricht last night. The lawyer was in town for a lecture for local entrepreneurs. Spong argued that Maastricht does not want to lose the coffee shops at all, because so many people make money out of them. “As an entrepreneur, you might not admit it quickly, but the million visitors of the coffee shops spend much money in the city. Just imagine. One million visitors who all drink a cup of coffee, tea or coke or eat something. And what about the coffee shops? These must be painted once in a while, or it needs a little renovation. These are done by local entrepreneurs,” he told the entrepreneurs.