( CNN ) -- The Netherlands plans to ban foreigners from the country 's famed pot shops , a decision Amsterdam 's tourism industry hopes goes up in smoke . The Dutch Cabinet late last month said the measure was needed to `` reduce nuisance and drugs tourism , '' arguing that `` substance use of minors has to be countered more strongly and that coffee shops have grown into large points of sale of cannabis that are hard to manage . '' Known as the `` Weed Pass , '' the measure will turn coffee shops into private clubs for Dutch citizens over the age of 18 . The memberships will last for a minimum of a year , and each shop will have a capped number of members . `` Persons who do not hold Dutch citizenship will not have access to the coffee shops , '' the Dutch Ministry of Security and Justice said in a statement . `` The Cabinet expects that closure of coffee shops to foreign drugs tourists will ensure that they no longer travel to the Netherlands to purchase and consume cannabis . After all , many of them can use the illegal markets available in their immediate surroundings , '' it says . The government said the measure also is needed to crack down on drug trafficking near the borders with Germany and Belgium . `` The number of criminal organizations that will be dealt with will be doubled from 20 to 40 % , '' the Ministry of Security and Justice said in its statement . But even in announcing the tougher stand , the government said Dutch drug use has `` remained more or less stable in the past decade . '' Under the current plan , the measure will go into effect this year in the southern part of the country , and then for the rest of the country in 2012 . The city of Amsterdam , including its mayor , has vowed to fight the measure . `` The Dutch government has decided upon this for the whole of the Netherlands . Amsterdam does n't want it , '' said Machteld Ligtvoet , a spokeswoman for the Amsterdam Tourism & Convention Board . Ligtvoet added , `` Coffee shops are not actively promoted by our organization and are not used in order to attract tourists . However , the mere idea that one can buy and use soft drugs here is an attractive aspect of Amsterdam and its famous spirit of freedom . '' The Amsterdam Tourism & Convention Board says the new measure should be dismissed because it discriminates against foreigners . The board also says it fears `` soft drugs will be sold on the street again , leading to more crime and dangerous situations . '' The Netherlands is renowned for its coffee shops where anyone over the age of 18 can freely walk in and peruse a menu of marijuana and hashish delicacies . Customers can purchase up to 5g of cannabis , and it can be smoked in regular joint fashion , as well as by bong and pipes . Alcohol is strictly prohibited in the shops . Twenty-three percent of Amsterdam tourists say they visit coffee shops during their stays , according to the Amsterdam Tourism & Convention Board . `` These tourists are an important ( though not most important ) economic factor of Amsterdam . '' HIGH TIMES magazine has sponsored the Cannabis Cup for the past 24 years in Amsterdam , bringing together thousands of marijuana and hashish enthusiasts in the city known as the `` Mecca of Pot . '' This year 's Cannabis Cup is slated for November 20-24 and is not affected by the new measure . But the ban could affect next year 's event . `` As a result , HIGH TIMES is encouraging all who 've always wanted to attend the Cannabis Cup and visit Amsterdam to do so this year , '' the magazine says on its website .
Dutch plan to ban foreigners from coffee shops where marijuana is sold . Government says measure is needed to reign in substance abuse . Plan will take hold across the country in 2012 . Comment: