and decided to restrict local by-laws for cannabis from May 2009.[5] In Maastricht the coffeeshops are forbidden for foreign tourists.[6] A controversial measure to introduce a wietpas (Dutch) or weed-pass membership system — pushed primarily by Christian political parties within the Dutch coalition government – has been proposed; this pass would restrict coffeeshop cannabis sales to residents of the Netherlands with a membership card only. The ban for foreign tourists started in three southern provinces on 1 May, and is due to go nationwide by the end of 2012.[7][8] Despite strong protests from coffeeshop owners, a judge in the Netherlands has upheld a new law to ban foreign tourists from entering cannabis cafes.[9] Lawyers representing the coffeeshop owners have promised to appeal the ruling, and protests are continuing.[10] Municipalities do have some form of control, for example coffeeshops in the city of Amsterdam still sell to foreigners without any discrimination or extra demandslimitations. A bong in a coffeeshop in Amsterdam Smoking on the premises[edit] Smoking joints has been common in cannabis coffeeshops. Since 1 July 2008 there is a tobacco smoking ban in the Netherlands which allows smoking joints containing tobacco in a separate smoking room only. Bongs and pure cannabis joints can still be smoked inside the premises.[11] Most coffeeshops still sell mixed joints spliffs, i.e. those with tobacco mixed with cannabis, and have made customers smoke in upstairs or downstairs rooms. Notable coffeeshops[edit] Checkpoint coffeeshop Mellow Yellow coffeeshop See also[edit] Legality of cannabis Smartshop Marijuana dispensary References[edit] Jump up ^ Dutch cannabis cafe owners fight changes. BBC News. 27 April 2012. Jump up ^ Jump up ^ Coffeeshop Info. coffeeshopibiza. Retrieved 31 October 2015. Jump up ^ Amsterdam Coffee Shop News 2014. Amsterdam.info. Retrieved 4 May 2014.