A historic decision for some, a dark day for others. In any case: Hoogeveen cleared the way on Thursday evening for the arrival of a maximum of two coffee shops.
Until now, Hoogeveen’s policy has always been based on the so-called zero option: coffee shops were not welcome in this municipality. Hoogeveen thus deviated from Assen, Emmen and Meppel.
But the political landscape in this municipality has changed and so has the attitude of some parties. A large majority of the Hoogeveen municipal council has now been in favor of allowing the open sale of cannabis for a year and a half.
No longer taboo
The policy is now being changed, with coffee shops no longer taboo. The declaration of tolerance for such companies is issued by the mayor.
Proponents include VVD, Municipal Interests, PvdA, SP, GroenLinks and D66. They point out, among other things, the possibilities for supervision, control and safety in the sale of soft drugs.
Information and prevention
They also want to work on good information and prevention in schools and involve parents in this. Furthermore, many parties consider ‘appropriate enforcement’ necessary. This involves periodic agreements with the police and the judiciary, youth work, community and community work and enforcement.
Hoogeveen now has dozens of street and home dealers, with no insight into the trade and the quality of the (soft) drugs on offer.
Nuisance and crime?
The opponents of a coffee shop – CDA, ChristenUnie, SGP and FvD – abhor the historic change of course. They see no advantage in the arrival of coffee shops and only fear more nuisance and crime.
Attempts by these parties to make changes to the policy, such as shorter opening hours, a greater distance to schools and a shorter tolerance period, failed.
‘Deeply sad’
CDA, ChristenUnie, SGP and FvD find the way in which this proposal came about ‘deeply sad’. According to these parties, the residents of Hoogeveen have been sidelined by the majority of the council. The CDA even spoke of ‘a black day’ for Hoogeveen.
The proponents regretted that the Christian parties did not seek information from experts and entrepreneurs who have experience with a coffee shop. A motion of regret announced by the opponents was withdrawn after a short suspension.
Ten years
The coffee shops can be located around the city center and/or Hollandscheveld in accordance with the provisions of the zoning plan. After two years, an evaluation will be conducted with direct stakeholders such as local residents. The companies can obtain an operating permit for ten years, with the option to extend it.
Furthermore, the establishment must adhere to a laundry list of rules. For example, the company is not allowed to sell cannabis to people under the age of 18, not to cause nuisance, not to offer hard drugs, to sell a maximum of 5 grams of cannabis per transaction and not to establish itself within 300 meters (walking distance) of schools and youth centers.