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In which date was cannabis legalized in the Netherlands? I mean the introduction of coffee shops

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I googled for it but I was not able to find anything – Abramodj Jun 22 '12 at 16:09
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Was it ever even illegal there? – T.E.D.♦ Jun 22 '12 at 17:03
Not sure at all! – Abramodj Jun 22 '12 at 17:31
I do know that it is generally argued among legalization proponents here in the USA that that only reason it was ever banned here was because it was viewed as something "Mexicans" did (iow: just a matter of racisim). They wouldn't have that issue in the Netherlands, I'm guessing. – T.E.D.♦ Jun 22 '12 at 17:43
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The main reason because it was banned was the pressure of oil companies. Indeed hemp is a valid alternative to petroleum for many applications, so oil companies started a media-fight against marijuana, in order to make the production of hemp much harder – Abramodj Jun 22 '12 at 20:05
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Contrary to popular myth, cannabis is not legal in the Netherlands. But the current de facto liberal policy dates to 1976.

In 1976 the Netherlands adopted a formal written policy of non-enforcement for violations involving possession or sale of up to 30 grams of cannabis. [1] (emphasis mine)

That study I cited is worth perusing if you're interested in the subject.

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