Back on CNNBS after some time away: cannabis lawyer Maurice Veldman. In this comeback column he delves deeper into the sensational arrival of Mike Tyson and Snoop Dogg, or rather their coffeeshops, in Amsterdam! For example, are they violating the advertising ban for coffeeshops?
Rename coffee shop
Snoop Dogg and Mike Tyson are used to being in the spotlight, but now that they have signed a deal with two Amsterdam coffee shops, it is world news.
Rap king Snoop Dog acts as the figurehead of a coffee shop in the Marnixstraat, which was renamed S.W.E.D.Snoop Dog’s motto, which stands for “Smoke Weed Every Day”.
A coffee shop in the Spuistraat has been renamed Mike Tyson 2.0.as a tribute to the legendary American heavyweight boxing champion.
City Hall in sackcloth and ashes
At the City Hall office on Waterlooplein, this led to some musing about whether these icons might be violating the ban on advertising coffee shops. Reportedly, the coffee shop on Spuistraat that Tyson linked his name to has already been threatened with closure for these reasons.
Complete nonsense, because I have now been litigating for about six years on the question: What is advertising for coffee shops?
The answer to whether the name SWED or Mike Tyson 2.0 is allowed on the facade of the two coffee shops is a resounding: Yes! Mike Tyson does not have to throw in the towel.
In coffeeshop SWED there is, among other things, a statue of a gigantic golden Doberman and a transparent Westside symbol – typical Snoop things…
Conclusions from case law
Advertising for coffee shops is not the same as advertising for drugs. You may place the text ‘Coffeeshop SWED’ or ‘Coffeeshop Mike Tyson 2.0’ on the facade of a coffee shop, because this does not refer to cannabis. There may not be an image of a cannabis leaf, but that is not the case.
Only a connoisseur knows what SWED stands for, but the unsuspecting passer-by is not exactly encouraged by these letters to start smoking weed. He does not come into contact with cannabis unintentionally. The same applies to the name Mike Tyson 2.0. This name also makes no connection with cannabis.
SWED and Mike Tyson 2.0 are not slogans that suggest a flirtation with cannabis to the unsuspecting passer-by
The point is that the passer-by of a coffee shop is not unintentionally confronted with cannabis or advertising for cannabis. So a clearly readable menu in which all types are advertised and this is visible from the street, that is not allowed.
But there is nothing wrong with a menu on the counter of a coffee shop. Because the visitor who reads this menu wants to read what is for sale because that is what he is there for. There is nothing unwanted about that.
For the unsuspecting passer-by, SWED and Mike Tyson 2.0 are not slogans that suggest a flirtation with cannabis and cannot be seen as an encouragement to light up a big joint.
Beroemde blowers in The Greenhouse coffeeshop
The resulting hilarity reminds me of an anecdote that unfortunately happened. Years ago, Snoop Dogg was picked up at Schiphol by employees of a coffee shop The GreenhouseThe Greenhouse is known among international artists as one of the best coffee shops in Amsterdam and is committed to a grand reception for all kinds of celebrities every time.
Madonna, Rhianna, Harry Potter, Dua Lipa and hundreds of other world-famous pop stars and actors made an appearance in the coffee shop on the Oudezijds Voorburgwal.
Keep the THC party going…
Snoop Dogg wanted to take a look in the past and checked in at the Greenhouse. The Greenhouse was standing in front of the reception hall of Schiphol with a luxury bus and Joa from the Greenhouse as head of the reception committee.
A few people from The Greenhouse went into the lobby and the driver stayed behind with Joa in the bus waiting for Snoop Dogg and his entourage. In the back of the bus someone was smoking a joint, so that Snoop Dogg would feel right at home.
Then the Marechaussee intervened. Joa, who did not smoke a joint on the bus, was given a driving ban for a period of no less than 72 hours for passive smoking. Another driver had to be found to drive Snoop Dogg to The Greenhouse.
As soon as Snoop Dogg lands at Schiphol, he has only one mission: Keep the party going on the dance floor… Fortunately, he was able to laugh heartily at this endearing example of Dutch rule-making.
About MR. VELDMAN
Mr. Maurice Veldman, lawyer in Amsterdamreports biweekly on current legal developments in the field of soft drugs. Veldman specializes in criminal and administrative law and is known as an advisor to coffee shops and hemp growers who struggle with the daily front and back door problems.
