The conservative village of Urk, part of the Dutch 'bible belt', wants to ban the use and possession of cannabis in its public spaces. A spokesperson for the Urk council said anyone caught smoking a joint or in the possession of cannabis would be fined.
The Urk council expressed unanimous support on Tuesday evening for the Mayor and his aldermen's proposal to ban soft drugs. If adopted, the measure would put Urk's soft drug policy at variance with national policy which condones the possession of a maximum of five grams of cannabis.
A spokesperson said Mayor Kroon disagrees with the national policy and the council shares his opinion. The Urk council is expected to adopt the cannabis ban during a council meeting scheduled for 3 March.
Labour Party MP Lea Bouwmeester has asked Justice Minister Ivo Opstelten whether Urk has the right to deviate from national policy and whether the minister believes a total ban on smoking cannabis is an effective way of protecting children's health. The MP expressed support for Urk's decision to take action against its drug problems, but said she would have preferred the council to focus on prevention.
A spokesperson for the justice ministry said that local councils have the authority to ban the use of soft drugs in designated areas, but added that this should take place in consultation with the police and the Public Prosecutor's Office.
(gsh/ae)
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Why try to prevent cannabis use ? You might want to discourage smoking of cannabis because smoking is not good for your lungs.
If vaporization of cannabis or eating cannabis is the way it is consumed then cannabis becomes good for our bodies and calming to the mind.
Cannabis boosts our endocannabinoid system which helps prevent cancer. This is only one benefit that cannabis gives use which makes cannabis a preventative medicine, herbal supplement / food or a like vitamin if you wish.
God, the Ecologician indicates He created all the seed bearing plants saying they're all good on literally the very 1st page of the Bible.
What kind of people in a "Bible belt" want to persecute and punish responsible adult humans for using what God says is good on the 1st page?
What the Mayor and Council don't understand is that you cannot ban cannabis. No matter how far they put their heads in the sand. Prevention through education and regulation are the answers to protecting public safety. People have the right to consume cannabis. I would however support a smoking in public ban. Other than in designated "coffee shops". I would also support a law that separates alcohol from cannabis. Alcohol causes lots of problems.