The Netherlands government may pass legislature that bans open marijuana shops. It wants to turn them into private clubs, with membership limited to Dutch citizens age 18 and above. If the law goes into effect, the clubs will appropriately be called Weed Pass.

According to government authorities, the measure will stop those foreigners who come to The Netherlands just to buy the legal pot. They say the visitors are responsible for much of the street crime and other disruptions in Amsterdam and other tourist areas.

However, the mayor of Amsterdam and many local merchants are opposed to the strict law. They claim that the use of marijuana is a symbol of the city’s free style and is actually beneficial to its tourist industry.