We've all seen the interaction with UN Drug Czar Mario
Costa and Fred Polak, over why prohibition encourages
use. Here he finally is in a coffee shop, but there is no
guarantee that it will open his mind.

http://www.dampkring.nl/22746/un-drug-czar-visits-amsterdam-coffee-shop.html

UN Drug Czar visits Amsterdam Coffee shop

Costa (centre) at coffeeshop Dampkring. photo: freeamsterdam.nl
 J. S. VAN DER STAD

Last month executive director of UNODC (United Nations
Office on Drugs and Crime), Antonio Marie Costa visited
Amsterdam. This visit is believed to have been scheduled
to give Costa a better view of the Dutch drug policies and
their effectiveness.

Mr. Costa, accompanied by representatives of the Dutch
Justice department, the Ministry of Health and Mr. van
Binsbergen of the ... of Amsterdam visited the famous Red
Light District and popular Amsterdam Coffeeshop
Dampkring (that received some notability for being featured
in the blockbuster movie Oceans Twelve with Brad Pitt and
George Clooney).

Coffeeshop owner Paul Wilhelm was there to explain
the ins and outs of a running a Coffeeshop in
Amsterdam. "Strangely enough they seemed a lot
more immature about the whole situation then I
expected" said Paul.

The ultimate feeling of freedom

Costa's first questions was literally; "So.. I bet that
movie made you a lot of money huh?"

"Sure the attention is great - for what business would it
not be? However the chance to a positive change was
the main reason to do it". Pauls explains. "These people
have a lot of influence and possibly can change the look
on 'the evil' cannabis and Coffeeshops for some people.
Steve Soderbergh contacted us for the movie because,
as he said, being in our shop gave him "the ultimate
feeling of freedom".

When Costa asks if they sell alcohol Paul responds: No,
unfortunately we were forced to make a choice last year.
Costa; "because it caused problems?"

No, Paul replied. "Actually the opposite. There was a
good balance, For most visitors enough is enough. There
are people that would rather drink a beer than smoke
and vice versa.

When asked "So how much money do you make?"
Paul with a smile replied "If you show me yours, I'll
show you mine"

A learning curve as well for the Coffeeshops

The UN Under-Secretary was explained how the
government created a separation between soft and hard
drugs by allowing so called Coffeeshops in the early
1970's. This eradicated the local dealers but also lead
to a 'boom' of small Coffeeshops.

Even though there has been a learning curve for the
government as well as for the Coffeeshops, there have
been clear rules and regulations on the existing and
running of such establishments.

When Costa asks whether they sell cigarettes, Paul
proudly answers; "No, they are very unhealthy and
more addictive than cannabis." In what may be
considered a Pavlovian response, Costa immediately
denies this. Paul explains that out of personal
experience and his expertise as a Coffeeshop owner,
it is far easier to quit smoking cannabis for a day, or
even a week, then having no cigarettes for a day.

The politition then asks the Coffeeshop owner, "Are
you a criminal"?

Are you a criminal?

Paul replies hesitantly. "Well. yes. But I don't feel like
one. cannabis is semi legal.. ("tolerated" Mr. van
Binsbergen corrects) and I'm running a business pretty
much like any other horeca establishment. I have a
social life, a family, three healthy kids, of which one is
going to university this year. I don't feel like a criminal
at all." Paul concludes.


Also check,
Marijuana use Amsterdam highest in the world (Costa)
http://www.dampkring.nl/22754/marijuana-use-amsterdam-highest-in-the-world.html

Costa selecting and constructing evidence
http://www.dampkring.nl/22761/costa-selecting-and-constructing-evidence.html

"5trfg6h7"  wrote in message 
news:9ae5f$4a43a44c$5ed175ae$7873@cache6.tilbu1.nb.home.nl...
> We've all seen the interaction with UN Drug Czar Mario
> Costa and Fred Polak, over why prohibition encourages
> use. Here he finally is in a coffee shop, but there is no
> guarantee that it will open his mind.
>
> http://www.dampkring.nl/22746/un-drug-czar-visits-amsterdam-coffee-shop.html
>
> Coffeeshop owner Paul Wilhelm was there to explain
> the ins and outs of a running a Coffeeshop in
> Amsterdam. "Strangely enough they seemed a lot
> more immature about the whole situation then I
> expected" said Paul.
>
School boys jolly day out at tax payers expense. Prohibitionists are 
simplistic and child like because they are willfully ignorant of facts. It 
seems Costa was demonstrating the usual reluctance to properly engage with 
the situation which doesn't fit neatly into his delusion. "Period".

It explains a very great deal about the failure of an ill-founded and 
ill-informed policy that will only ever create additional harm and misery on 
top of those it sets out to eliminate.

In truth Costa & co. like all prohibitionists aren't the least interested in 
any of the drugs themselves or even trying to understand the situation on 
the ground and how different regimes are affecting trade and use of a 
particular drug. Listening to the comments he and others make is more than 
enough evidence to support that statement.

How to lever more power and control over governments and citizens to better 
prosecute their religious crusade against evil is the only debate they've 
any real passion and interest in.

Noticed at Thu, 25 Jun 2009 18:20:42 +0200: 5trfg6h7 informed us:

> UN Drug Czar visits Amsterdam Coffee shop

Did he cause a diplomatic incident, like McCaffrey (then US drug czar) did
about 10 years ago?

-- 
Dr John Watson
Baker Street

"Dr John Watson"  wrote in message
news:7ak9e4F1vuc0qU1@mid.individual.net...
> Noticed at Thu, 25 Jun 2009 18:20:42 +0200: 5trfg6h7 informed us:
>
> > UN Drug Czar visits Amsterdam Coffee shop
>
> Did he cause a diplomatic incident, like McCaffrey (then US drug czar) did
> about 10 years ago?

I don't think he's that important - although he thinks he is. :)