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The Netherlands is also famous for its low-crime rate (although comparable to other western European nations) and [[libertarian]] legislation. Examples are licensed prostitution in designated areas of major cities, such as Amsterdam's Red Light District, the legal soft [[drugs]] sold in the country's many coffee shops, [[abortion]] rights, [[same-sex marriage]]s and [[euthanasia]].  

The Netherlands is also famous for its low-crime rate (although comparable to other western European nations) and [[libertarian]] legislation. Examples are licensed prostitution in designated areas of major cities, such as Amsterdam's Red Light District, the legal soft [[drugs]] sold in the country's many coffee shops, [[abortion]] rights, [[same-sex marriage]]s and [[euthanasia]].  

==Netherlands drug laws==

==Netherlands drug policies==

Consuming and carrying the "soft drugs" ([[marijuana]], [[absinth]], [[hashish]] and [[hallucinogenic  mushrooms]]) were made legal in the Netherlands in 1976 in a final attempt to stop drug-related crime in the 1970's, soft drugs can be legally purchased by individuals over 18 in the famed (licensed) coffee shops, that do sell coffee as well, but are prohibited from serving alcohol.

Consuming and carrying the "soft drugs" ([[marijuana]], [[absinthe]], [[hashish]] and [[hallucinogenic  mushrooms]]) were made legal in the Netherlands in 1976 in a final attempt to stop drug-related crime in the 1970's, soft drugs can be legally purchased by individuals over 18 in the famed (licensed) coffee shops, that do sell coffee as well, but are prohibited from serving alcohol.

The Dutch policy regarding soft drugs (and previously prostitution) is called "gedoogbeleid" (condonement policy).

The Dutch policy regarding soft drugs (and previously prostitution) is called "gedoogbeleid" (condonement policy).

This means that although certain behavior is officially prohibit by law, a condonement clause prevents law enforcement agencies from persecuting this behavior, this clause is, legally speaking, not a law and can be reverted much easier than a regular law.

This means that although certain behavior is officially prohibit by law, a condonement clause prevents law enforcement agencies from persecuting this behavior, this clause is, legally speaking, not a law and can be reverted much easier than a regular law.