My perception of the situation in Holland is as follows:

There has been a significant rise in the number of mental health admissions, which Doctors, in their wisdom, are putting down (to a great extent) to the stronger Skunk's now available freely in Amsterdam.

Already, in March last year, the number of Coffeeshop licences in Amsterdam was reduced, and whilst currently this has little impact on tourists, the plan will be to reduce the total number further. THe issue in the Dutch government is being further confused and clouded by the general smoking (cigarette) in public debate which is currently ongoing.

There are three propositions being put forward to the Dutch government, which, in their most simple form are the following:

1. A complete ban on Coffeeshops, sales of "regulated" marijuana will only be made from specialised outlets, and only to people with Dutch nationality.

2. A massive reduction in the number of coffeeshops, and a reduction from the current 5g you are allowed to carry as personal, to 2.5g.

3. To continue as is, but enhance the level of policing (for example, increasing the number of police giving litmus tests to drivers in and around Amsterdam, increased "stop and search" rights - these currently exist, but as a general rule exclude tourists).

Any legislation will probably take around 12 months to agree, and another 12 months to implement, so there should be 2 years unbroken, and plenty of warning of the changes.