Passing the Potomac
Tulips or cherry blossoms?
Marijuana was legalized in Washington last week, to the delight of thousands of college students, activists and connoisseurs — and to the apparent dismay of the Netherlands.
But wait, isn’t Amsterdam known for marijuana cafes on every corner?
The Dutch embassy was quite taken aback with Mayor Muriel Bowser’s pamphlet meant to assure citizens that Washington won’t “become like Amsterdam.” In response, the Dutch embassy created an infographic to prove just how much better Amsterdam is than our capital, citing that it has a larger population and more canals, bike lanes, streetcars and museums.
And to top it off, Dutch citizens can only carry 0.176 ounces of marijuana, compared with the 2 ounces now permitted in Washington.
Claiming their city’s superioriority on our turf was a smug move. And, fine, if you’re judging worth by windmills, the Netherlands has us. But Washington has its fair share of perks that shouldn’t be forgotten.
For one, all those bicycle lanes the embassy proudly touted? They’re stuffed with bikes. And if you think driving in downtown Washington is bad, try finding a bike parking spot in Amsterdam. The city has to remove thousands of bikes a year that are abandoned in the city centre.
What was Amsterdam’s solution to its orphan bike problem? A massive, winding sculpture made of rusting bike frames. So while Washington is full of beautiful marble monuments, fountains and statues honoring our past, Amsterdam decorates itself with dilapidated bikes, tangled together in some sort of half-baked attempt at modern art.
The infographic also mocks the District for its “1 (almost)” streetcar line, compared with Amsterdam’s 15. What it fails to acknowledge is Amsterdam’s lack of an extensive metro; Washington residents don’t need streetcars in their faces when they can easily take 117 miles of track to most places in and around the city.
Amsterdam’s metro is quite pathetic in comparison. The first lines were laid in the ’70s, but they cover mostly outlying residential areas. Even now, it’s difficult to take the metro to many places in the city centre. They’ve started working on a new line to make downtown more accessible, but construction is scheduled through 2020. Meanwhile, Washington residents have been enjoying the ease of the Metro for decades.
Despite Amsterdam’s shortcomings, especially when compared with marvelous Washington, the Dutch embassy did have a good reason for trying to clear up the misconceptions about the country’s drug policy.
In the Netherlands, Amsterdam included, it is illegal to grow, possess or sell marijuana. The reason Amsterdam’s coffee shops are so famous for it is because the police do not enforce the law prohibiting sale of the drug for those 18 years or older who buy it from a licensed coffee shop. A person growing no more than five plants for individual use has been designated a low priority for enforcement.
But enforcers in Amsterdam have begun to tighten their rules. In order to reduce the number of tourists showing up solely for the sticky icky, a law was enacted in 2013 that only allows citizens of the Netherlands to buy marijuana in a coffee shop. No one under 18 is allowed inside.
It’s important to note that in Washington, selling marijuana is still illegal (and possession is still illegal for anyone under 21), and the city says the law will be enforced. Washington residents can grow up to six plants, no more than three of which can be mature.
While Amsterdam technically has the stricter law, 18-year-olds are allowed to smoke weed simply because the police decided it wasn’t worth targeting them. Marijuana is sold, but it’s done illegally, right under the noses of authorities.
For those reasons, Washington may have the better policy. Marijuana is legal, but if the rules are enforced, there will be no buying and selling, nor possession by anyone under 21.
But if Washington doesn’t work to make sure the laws are followed, there’s a good chance the city might become just like Amsterdam. And who wants that?
