According to the report, a police investigation has uncovered that these shops possessed a significant quantity of hemp joints. The city said that the sale of these items is only allowed in coffee shops under strict health and safety regulations.
The municipality noted that "trafficking, use and presence of drugs have a negative effect on public order" as it could lead to "insecurity for passers-by and local residents due to nuisance and the attraction of the store to criminal activity," the media quoted the statement.
The shops rejected accusations that they violated any laws by selling any prohibited items, saying that referring to the items in question as "joints" was incorrect, a shops' attorney told the newspaper.