Why is marijuana legal in Amsterdam?

Answer 1

The Dutch began years ago with what amounted to a social experiment--decriminalizing marijuana. They have also carefully watched the results. What they've found I've summarized below:
1) First, a brief rise in marijuana use, followed by a decline to pre-decriminalization use levels--no net over time
2) A signifigant decreas in the rate of new users of other (more dangerous) drugs such as heroin--sustained over time.

The overall outcome, based on those two key facts, as well as a lot of other data, is this: by decriminalizing marijuana, they severed the "path" by which young people were recruited into more serious drug use. The idea is that the forced association of marijuana with other illlegal drugs was weakened, resulting in less exposure/oportunity to start using the more dangerous drugs.

Note--this is only one component of a more comprehensive anti-drug policy designed to minimize the use of the more dangerous and addictive drugs. The Dutch authorities recognized the facct that marijuana, while not a "positive" thing, is relatively harmless, and chose to focus their efforts on the more harmful drugs.

The Dutch strategy may or may not be ttransferable to other societies--but it has definately had positive results for them.

Answer 2

So people can take a puff, and it makes good brownies. No, just kidding! In the 60s there was a bar in Amsterdam where they served hashish brownies but the owners got in a lot of trouble when visotors took these delicacies home to their country. They are now content running a bed-and-breakfast that probably has hash content in the Continental breakfast.

Answer 3

LoneStar got it right. But a better question might be why are people in Amsterdam a little less uptight about victimless crimes. Prostitution is legal there as well.

We forget, in America, that many of our laws are there solely because of the influence of Religion, and not because of any harm that it does to anybody.

Answer 4

Marijuana's a small thing in amsterdam. Prostitution and just about every drug is legal.

Answer 5

the truth is marijuana is a softer drug than booze,in America it was outlawed due to politics sole and not scientific knowledge,the Netherlands has no weed smoking problem with its citizens,their big thing is hard drugs like heroin,and Coke,in fact they tax weed and prostitution and is regulated so the government gets its cut,and brings tourist from around the world,if only America would wake-up and see the huge benefits of legalizing weed......

Answer 6

The use of soft drugs and prostitution being legal helps keep it under control.

Answer 7

Technically, it's not. But they don't enforce the law against possession of small amounts, and don't bother the coffeeshops that sell joints or their customers, so long as they use them in there.

Answer 8

the dutch, they are a very tolerant nation.

Answer 9

Because they made it so.