Just got back from 'dam this afternoon. Great city let down by the tacky tourist shops, cannabis cafe's in the centre and the stag night/drug tourist people. I've read various posts about banning/restricting the sale of cannabis in Amsterdam. Does anyone know what exactly they're planning to do?
There are talks of banning all smoking in work places and enclosed public places, etc. This would force you to smoke outside, however some coffeeshops do not sell food so the smoking ban may not apply here. There seems to be problems with coffeeshops near the borders in Germany and France with the respective governments wanting a full ban. There are also talks to limit the sell of weed to people who can prove they are indigenous to NL by having permits, etc. Personally, and this is just my opinion, I don't think anything is going to change too much in central Amsterdam for a few years, but not sure of the border line coffeeshops. Also, I think if the ban on tourists happened it will drive it onto the street dealers and nobody wants that. If anything, a total blanket ban on all smoking (weed & backy) might occur and in theory you may not have anywhere to smoke it, especially if the Police decide to crack down on smoking in public too. Finally, this is where I could sound a total and utter git, but to be honest it does not worry me too much. Over the years I think the standard and quality of the weed has slumped there anyway, I get better stuff in the UK and I know for a fact I'm not the only one who thinks this. Many British people are diligently realising this.
yeah I feel you about thinking central adam won't change much. But its just hard to not worry about a "slippery slope" scenario occuring if this plan goes into effect.
Yeh, it's a big shame for sure. The tourist industry will be hit very hard for them if it gets banned. Can they afford to do it I wonder, but they may have no choice with pressure from the USA, France and Germany.
Through the years the dutch have consistently reinforced something: the fact that they are driven by commerce and are consumet merchants. I mean we are talking about the race that really pushed the slave trade, gave up jews to nazis (don't be offended by the facts of history I'm not using these historical fact to take a shot at dutch people...im 50 percent dutch myself). There was just an article in the news about a dutch chemical salesman getting 15 years in prison for selling chemicals to iraq that were used to kill 5000 people. 50 percent of the dutch population speaks english. This stems from the dutch desire to do well in business. Lets hope there realistic view that weed does not ruin lives like hard drugs coupled with there desire to make money creates a hospitable environment for the trade of cannabis forever!
I hope a large scale ban does go ahead. The drugs and the type of people/shops/atmosphere that they attract kinda ruined my experience of Amsterdam. Seems hard to believe that people would spend so much time and money travelling to Amsterdam just to get stoned in public.
I wouldn't like to see a complete ban, just less of the typical ''drop outs'' on the streets pestering tourists. There, I've said it.!
Depends whether they have the backbone to say no to those countries. I mean, Holland is an independant country, who cares what other countries think? The US does not control the world, however much they think they do.
Yes, but it's more to do with public concern with health and civil right issues, etc. Just like the UK with their topical banning of smoking in pubs and restaurants and people that work in them breathing in second hand smoke. Smoking cigs today in public places will soon become a thing of the past.
yeah but even with the bans for "health rights" certain places are designated where people can still smoke. Like places designed solely for that purpose such as cigar bars. A government is not going to tell people that go to a bar specifically to smoke that they can't smoke there because other customers who don't smoke are having there health compromised. But you are correct about public places, the second hand smoke reasoning would definately effect those. And I think it should. I don't smoke cigarettes and it is one of many reasons why I don't frequent pubs. Since smoke travels through the air that people share in public places it is invasive when smoked in public. But then again so are fumes given off by cars.........wow this topic is layered
