40 mayors call on next Dutch government to legalise marijuana

The government has sanctioned experiments with regulated marijuana production in 10 cities, but that process is not due to start until next year
Dutch News (Netherlands)
Thursday, September 23, 2021

nl cannabis cultivation policeAlmost 40 Dutch mayors, mainly from the south of the Netherlands, have signed a manifesto calling on the government to legalise soft drugs (cannabis) as part of a campaign to tackle organized crime and the infiltration of legitimate companies and organisations by drugs criminals. The issue must have a prominent place in the next cabinet’s plans, the mayors say. ‘By removing the criminals’ earnings model, vulnerable citizens can be protected,’ the manifesto states. According to the Parool, Amsterdam’s mayor Femke Halsema told city councillors that she supported the manifesto as well. (See also: Mayors push for tougher approach against organized crime | Drugs crime costs Dutch society up to €4.1bn a year, report claims)