High street? Dutch ecstasy ‘shop’ shows possible way for drug reform

Mock-up XTC store in the centre of Utrecht demonstrates how drug might be sold if regulations change

For campaigners advocating drug liberalisation, it is an image that is almost too good to be true: a store down a cobbled street in Utrecht legally selling ecstasy or MDMA for recreational use, apparently as easily as the jeweller is selling watches next door.

The XTC shop in the centre of the Netherlands' fourth largest city has even been visited in recent days by a government minister, who was pictured examining its bubblegum-style vending machines and in-house educational videos.