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Article: Number of Dutch marijuana 'coffee shops' continued decline in 2002
- Article from:
- AP Worldstream
- Article date:
- October 21, 2003
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AP Worldstream
10-21-2003
Dateline: AMSTERDAM, Netherlands
The number of Dutch "coffee shops," where marijuana and hashish are sold openly over the counter, fell by 3 percent in 2002 to 782, the Justice Ministry said Tuesday.
It was the fifth consecutive annual fall in the number of smoking establishments, where customers can buy a cup of coffee and a marijuana joint. The total number of coffee shops in the country has dropped by 34 percent since 1997, according to a statement.
Justice Ministry spokesman Wim Kok said the decrease followed the tougher enforcement of regulations imposed on the businesses by municipal authorities. The sale or use of small quantities of marijuana and hashish is ...