Cannabis Tribunal in The Hague

On Monday and Tuesday, December 1st and 2nd, 2008, the Cannabis tribunal will be held in Nieuwspoort, The Hague. The central issue at this tribunal is the road that Dutch cannabis policy should take after more than 30 years of "gedogen" (tolerant policies). Both those in favour of this policy as those against it are welcome to this event, which is organized by the Stichting Drugsbeleid, the Cannabis College and ENCOD. The cannabis tribunal consists of six hearings and a debate with politicians. The hearings will be introduced by one reality expert and two witnesses who represent each another view on the issue. Thus, subjects like the future of the coffeeshops, the medicinal use of cannabis and the moral basis of cannabis prohibition will be discussed. Starting point of the tribunal is the statement that cannabis prohibition has more negative than positive effects. At the end of each hearing, together with the audience a conclusion is formulated. At the end of the first day (Monday December 1st) a debate will take place in which the spokespersons on drug policy of all political groups from the parliament and the responsible ministers will be invited to defend current policy. These are minister Ter Horst of Internal Affairs, Hirsch Ballin of Justice and Klink of Public Health. On Tuesday December 2nd the organizers of the tribunal will present the conclusions on a press conference. Working language of the tribunal is Dutch. Agenda: Monday, December 1st 9.30 Reception 9.45 – 11.00 Hearing 1: MEDICINE OR RISK Chairwoman: Maartje Nevejan Introduction: Iki Freud Witnesses: Peter Geerlings and (name to be announced) 11.00 – 11.15 Pause 11.15 – 12.45 Hearing 2: DARK CLOUDS ABOVE THE COFFEESHOPS Chairwoman: Maartje Nevejan Introduction: Nicole Maalsté Witnesses: Leonard Geluk and Ton Schijvenaars 12.45 – 13.45 Lunch 13.45 – 14.15 Hearing 3 RADIO SILENCE BEFORE THE STORM Chairwoman: Maartje Nevejan Witness: (name to be announced) 14.15 – 15.45 Hearing 4 THE MORAL BASIS OF THE BAN Chairwoman: Maartje Nevejan Introduction: August de Loor Witnesses: Egbert Tellegen and Donald Uges 15.45 – 16.00 Pause 16.00 – 17.30 DEBATE: TOWARDS A JUST AND RATIONAL CANNABIS POLICY Chairman: Frans Weisglas Introduction: Freek Polak Witnesses: Cisca Joldersma and Hans Van Duijn Tuesday, December 2nd 9.30 Reception 9.45 – 11.15 Hearing 5: HOW DO WE EXPLAIN IT TO OUR NEIGHBOURS? Witnesses: Tom Decorte, Jan van der Tas and Freek Polak 11.15 – 11.30 Pause 11.30 – 12.00 Hearing 6: DOES HEMP HAVE (THE) FUTURE? Witnesses: Ben Dronkers and Wernard Bruining 12.00 – 13.00 PRESS CONFERENCE, PRESENTATION OF THE CONCLUSIONS 13.00 – 14.00 PRESENTATION OF THE CONCLUSIONS TO MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT 14.00 – 15.00 Pause 15.00 – 17.30 OPEN MICROPHONE