Amsterdam Prohibiting Tourists from Purchasing Cannabis

D

dthfromabv79

Well-Known Member
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20110527/wl_nm/us_dutch_cannabis

AMSTERDAM (Reuters) – The Dutch government on Friday said it would start banning tourists from buying cannabis from "coffee shops" and impose restrictions on Dutch customers by the end of the year.
The Netherlands is well known for having one of Europe's most liberal soft drug policies that has made its cannabis shops a popular tourist attraction, particularly in Amsterdam.
Backed by the far-right party of anti-immigrant politician Geert Wilders, the coalition government that came into power last year announced plans to curb drug tourism as part of a nationwide program to promote health and fight crime.
"In order to tackle the nuisance and criminality associated with coffee shops and drug trafficking, the open-door policy of coffee shops will end," the Dutch health and justice ministers wrote in a letter to the country's parliament on Friday.
Under the new rules, only Dutch residents will be able to sign up as members of cannabis shops.
Dutch customers will have to sign up for at least a year's membership and each shop would be expected to have only up to 1,500 members, a justice ministry spokesman said.
The policy will roll out in the southern provinces of Limburg, Noord Brabant and Zeeland by the end of the year and the rest of the country next year, the spokesman said.
Amsterdam, home to about 220 coffee shops, is already in the process of closing some in its red light district. Some officials have resisted the measures, saying they will push the soft drug trade underground.
Some Dutch border towns including Maastricht and Terneuzen have already restricted the sale of marijuana to foreigners.
Click to expand...
 
Smokey21530

Smokey21530

Active Member
Damn couldnt even imagine that. Amsterdam has alot of amazing shit to do but still most peopel like going to a museum or going on bike rides thru the parks like i do. But also i like to smoke a spliff before doing all those things. They would take an enormous hit, dont think it would last long.
 
K

Kodank Moment

Well-Known Member
Considering tourism and the weed are the few things people give a shit about in Amsterdam I don't see this lasting long if it even takes place. Once they start seeing 80% of their tax and government money gone for lack of tourism...pockets will dry up and rich people will sour and weed will be bigger then ever...um what's this mean for cannabis cup?
 
dam612

dam612

Well-Known Member
Been hearing this for a while and dreded when it would happen but I can't see this being beneficial. They are going to lose out on money plus crime rate wil prb Increase now that shady nonregulated street dealers will be selling to the tourists that are there.
I don't get it, there are brawls and shootings and killings in bars yet in the smoke lounge it's all peace and fun...
And honestly combat what?WhY havent they realized that drugs are always going to be around no matter how much attention you put towards it
 
Sr. Verde

Sr. Verde

Well-Known Member
I wassss going to eventually go to the Dam, drop 3k and get out there for a week or so... try some of their breeders shops....


now I'm just going to 1000 miles to CA/CO/WA and get it wayyyyyyyy cheaper and spend 1/3 less in expenses!


Way to go Amsterdam... whats your GDP again? :lol:
 
R

redivider

Well-Known Member
you guys seem to forget that selling marijuana in Holland is ILLEGAL.

that's right, the justice system just doesn't really enforce the law.

i suspect this rule will just be pseudo-followed. tickets issued, maybe, if something really bad happens... but overall, they'll stay open, like they have for soooooo long......

oh and the tourists they most complain about is germans crossing to border towns for a day or so... backpackers and such tourists they dont' mind so much.....
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top