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