Part of: Coffeeshops and banking
A long line of letters and conversations
This dossier has been on the political agenda for years. Already in 2020 the Association of Active Breda Coffeeshop Operators (ABC) wrote to the Minister of Finance about restrictions on cash withdrawals. The ministry then saw no role for itself and referred to the banks. That same year the ministry, the Public Prosecution Service and the Financial Supervision Bureau were addressed by counsel; DNB was also asked to exercise its supervisory role.
Parliamentary questions 2021 and 2022
On 19 November 2021 MP Grinwis filed questions to the Minister of Finance. In March 2022 questions followed from MP Sneller (D66) after the collapse of value transport. In her reply the minister confirmed that the tolerance policy creates an intrinsic tension with the Wwft, and that the ministry is committed to accessible cash-payment infrastructure.
Cash Money Covenant (April 2022)
On 8 April 2022 the Cash Money Covenant, prepared by DNB, was submitted to the House of Representatives. It contains considerations that point banks toward applying proportionality in cash services when complying with anti-money-laundering rules — an important anchor for dialogue with the sector.
Code of conduct: ministry stays on the sidelines
The sector has argued for a coffeeshop code of conduct that translates the ministers' answers into workable agreements. The ministry indicates this is a matter between the sector and the banks; it is not itself a party. BCD has subsequently held exploratory conversations with the major banks on the content of such a code.