The phrase, ‘double Dutch’ is taking on a new value – to describe the contortions of the local politicians trying to cope with appproving/disapproving of cannabis use. Words like ‘decriminalised but not legal’ are evidence of their dilemma. And now tourists, or a third of them, damn them, are making things even more difficult by wanting to buy the stuff in the 700 coffee shops.
So in one region they can’t, unless they’re happen to be German or Belgian – then it’s OK. Pardon me? Isn’t that contrary to some Treaty of Rome or Maastricht or Shengen or other? Just get a Belgian residence permit if you need to smoke. Better make that a Flemish one, just in case there’s a language problem. But, but …. surely signing a visitors’ book to get access is…… illegal?
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-17865151
Dopey, ain’t it? Yes, Holland is going to pot. My advice: keep off the grass. But it might take some Dutch courage!
Boadicea's Chariot 
And here we are heading to Amsterdam and won’t be able to get so much as a crumb of cannabis cake! I’m sure you’re right, Janus, that it must be against some EU rule or other that you must be a resident of Holland to register at the cannabis café of your choice. I’m not convinced this will cut crime though. It will just increase the profits in the illegal trade.
I harbour a deep antipathy to Marijuana and Marijuana culture. Far too many times I’ve had to deal with people smoking it wherever they bloody well pleased. Fighting it might not work, but there are ways to force it under ground. The Dutch are attempting to crack down on it because of the number of lowlifes deciding to holiday in the Netherlands, more power to them.
Christopher, the problem is of NL’s own making! They have deliberately made it acceptable for their own addicts to use it and know the EU rules! Imagine if France banned all non-Frogs from visiting restaurants or even worse, if only Brits were allowed in English pubs!