Amsterdam Mayor Job Cohen wants the government to adopt different drug policies for major cities and for border regions.

In a letter to Interior Minister Guusje ter Horst, the mayor stresses that Amsterdam differs markedly from border cities such as Maastricht. Tourists in the capital, according to the mayor, behave differently from those visiting border areas. In the letter, he writes: "Tourists in Amsterdam usually visit the capital for several days and, in addition to many other activities, sometimes also go to a coffeeshop."

Mr Cohen opposes the introduction of special passes for people to buy marijuana from coffeeshops. He also dismisses as ineffective a ban on coffeeshops within a 250-metre radius ofschools. The mayor points out that underage youths are not allowed to enter coffeeshops anyway. He also notes that most teenagers usually buy drugs through third parties.

(Photo: Flickr / splifr)

(c) Radio Netherlands Worldwide