Dutch politics in heavy discussion about the legalization of XTC

Nina van Zelst
By Nina van Zelst

The discussion about legalizing XTC seems to have moved from Australia to the Netherlands. Political parties are giving their thoughts on the subject, after the party GroenLinks stated they want the government to regulate the production of XTC.  

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Last week, we talked about the Australian authorities that didn’t allow pill testing, even though a guy died after Knockout – Games of Destiny. Now the discussion about XTC is taking place in the Netherlands again, after GroenLinks’ Kathalijne Buitenweg actually pled for the government to regulate the production of XTC.

“Considering there’s no possibility for a drugs-free world, I believe it’s inevitable the Netherlands has to legalize the use of XTC, just like for cannabis. The production of XTC should be controlled via licenses, and only pills that meet the standards for quality can be sold. I say this for the health of our people, but also because we have to act on the rising power of criminals, which is frightening.“

This led to different reactions from the Dutch citizens, other political parties and the mayor of the city of Breda: Paul Depla. “Act hard against the criminal, act soft on the user. Give me one argument about why alcohol is legal and XTC should be forbidden? I am just repeating the experts. They tell me: XTC causes less damage than alcohol does.“

“Who are we, people in their fifties, to say the use of XTC and cannabis is worse than using alcohol?“

The discussion about legalizing XTC has been going on for years now: the politcal party GroenLinks already stated in 2013 they want to regulate the production and distribution of XTC through the government. Since there are now heavy discussions, and the criticism on Buitenweg and Depla, it still seems to take a while before The Netherlands will have (partly) legalized XTC.

Footage via BELGAIMAGE

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