The cabinet is due to discuss its soft drugs policy on Friday, but a letter leaked to the press suggests it does not intend to abandon the policy of tolerance which the Netherlands has maintained for the past 30 years.

While cannabis remains illegal, the authorities turn a blind eye towards the sale of small amounts in so-called "coffee shops". On the other hand, the law is still enforced against those growing marijuana and supplying the coffee shops.
 

Coffee shops will be allowed to continue operating, although the cabinet wants to introduce measures to stem the flow of tourists. The final decision about whether and where coffee shops may be opened belongs with the local authorities and mayors will have powers to keep the coffee shops small-scale and local.
 

One of the schemes under consideration is a pass system. Last month the government earmarked 150,000 euros for a trial run in Maastricht which would involve turning coffee shops into private clubs requiring customers to show proof of membership at the door. It's not clear whether tourists would be eligible for membership.
 

Local authorities will also be allowed to experiment with the maximum quantities of cannabis on sale. The cabinet is also considering whether to allow trials with greater stock levels in coffee shops in order to reduce the nuisance caused by drug runners.
 

Any trials and experiments will be conducted under strict conditions and be evaluated by the government.
 

The cabinet debate and the policy changes follow disagreements last year between the ruling coalition parties which emerged last year. The Christian Democrats and Christian Union were in favour of ending the tolerance policy, while the Labour Party argued that closing the coffees shops would do little to reduce the associated crime, nuisance and health risks.
 

Earlier this year an advisory committee concluded that the policy of tolerance had gotten out of hand in the last 15 years as a result of lax implementation and a fragmented approach to drug-related crime.