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It is truly disturbing how arrogant this "official" was. Although it is irrelevant in regards to the original question, still, I think it's important to note why the Dutch government has decided to move the coffeeshops to its borders. It is not because of "their drug policy has failed", as the unintelligent "official" said so, but because tourists are a problem from all the other countries where the government still follows the draconian rules of the UN (the US really). Drug-tourism is a real difficulty for The Netherlands, but that is not an effect of –their- drug policy, but rather the effect of the neighbor's drug-policy. Having tens of thousands each weekend come to litter and urinate all over the historic small-towns will certainly make any major wanting to move any attraction away from their town. If the policy of the neighbors was more realistic, these folks would never come to visit at the first place, so there would be no need to move anything anywhere. All in all of course this doesn't matter, because Mr. Antonio-Maria Costa could care less about real discussion, as he is very well aware that the policy he advocates does not work, never did and never will. But like so many others, him too chooses to lay low cowardly and bow to the prohibitionist USA. Not so surprising really - it's a trendy thing to do. But all should recognize and congratulate the bravery of the Dutch to stand out (like in this video), and follow true logic, honesty and persistence in their decisions towards their issues!