Copenhagen votes to legalize cannabis
Cannabis may soon be legalized in Copenhagen now a large majority of the city council has approved a plan in which the drug is sold through a network of shops and cafes. Copenhagen will be the first city the consumption of cannabis is fully legalized (instead of tolerated) if the Danish Parliament wil approve the plan early next year. The drug is already sold openly in the Freetown Christiania, a self-proclaimed semi-independent enclave in the Danish capital. Cannabis has never been officially decriminalized and those caught with cannabis can be fined up to 520 euros.
"We think of 30-40 outlets where the sellers are interested in you instead of making as much profit as possible," said Mayor of Copenhagen Social Affairs and member of the city council Mikkel Warming. "From whom young people can buy the best cannabis? Of a drug dealer who wants to sell them more and who wants them to use hard drugs, or a civil servant?"
The City of Copenhagen took the plan with a majority of 39 votes in favor and nine against. He is currently working out the details and will send the proposal to the Danish Parliament.
Amsterdam
"We do not want such situation in Amsterdam," explained Warming. "We want the import and cultivation of cannabis legalization." In the Netherlands, the possession and cultivation of cannabis is still technically illegal. Coffeeshop holders may sell cannabis but it isn’t aloud to buy it. Trade with customers is tolerated.
The Danish parliament voted three years ago for a similar proposal by the City of Copenhagen.