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Coffee shops turn into private clubs for locals
30 May 2011, by IamExpat SpotterThe Dutch government is finalising the plan to turn coffee shops into private clubs for locals in order to reduce drug tourism.
According to the Cabinet’s new measures, entering cafes selling small amounts of cannabis will only be allowed to Dutch citizens or those legally residing in the Netherlands and are over 18.
Adequate measures will also be taken to minimise street dealing even though Amsterdam City Council opposes the move, arguing it will increase criminality and reduce public safety.
Note that border towns (such as Maastricht) have already restricted the sale of cannabis to tourists / foreigners, while in others (such as Roosendaal) coffee shops were shut down.
Source: Rijksoverheid.nl
Photo by Flickr user N.ico
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Such a wonderful way to re-criminalize weed, create problems on the streets and decrease the quality of products. I'm so disappointed in you, Amsterdam.
fspiegel
May 31 2011, 04:18PM
May 31 2011, 04:18PM
Don't be disappointed in Amsterdam, but in the Dutch right-wing government. The mayor of Amsterdam is against this new regulation!
Yes, you're right. Then I'm so disappointed in you, crazy right-wing government! WHat next? Abolish gay marriage?
Hello, I was going to take a vacation there in the next two weeks but am not going to if can't enjoy the singular pleasure of smoking Amsterdams finest... already getting enough grief from the girlfriend over the Red Light district and too many other places in Europe to visit... What's the deal? If I show up in 2 weeks will I be able to enjoy the "old" Amsterdam? I'm really hoping so... MJ isn't the only reason for visiting by far, but it does help justify the plane trip and high cost of living there to some degree.
It will probably take time before this goes into effect; it will take some organization. In two weeks you should be fine!
Especially the border communities have had a lot of problems with drug tourists from Germany and Belgium getting stoned and then vandalizing or driving under the influence. I can understand that they want to restrict it to the locals. However, this will probably open new 'business opportunities' to the locals who sell the dope they can buy to the tourists in the streets. It's one of the many examples for how isolated local or national policies are difficult to defend when the neighboring areas/ countries don't play along. If Germany and Belgium would legalize it too, (and their neighbors too), the problem would be completely out of the way. As it is, there is no good way to make it work.
the bohem sense that once Amsterdam had, starts shrinking... yes, they will take drug tourism out of the way. they have to find other ways to restrict drug tourism and vandalizing. Amsterdam is world famous for it's tolerant view and now? then what?
Loaded Tourist, I am not 100% sure, about seeing the 'old' Amsterdam or not, but I bet if you contacted local tourism in Amsterdam and/or some coffee shops they could give you an answer. My local coffee shop in a different province has given us until May before we need a weed pass. With the ABUNDANCE of coffee shops in Amsterdam, I doubt you will have a problem getting what your looking for.
http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&client=firefox-a&hs=YpR&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&channel=np&prmd=imvns&resnum=3&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.,cf.osb&biw=1248&bih=747&um=1&ie=UTF-8&q=Amsterdam+coffeeshops&fb=1&hq=coffeeshops&hnear=0x47c63fb5949a7755:0x6600fd4cb7c0af8d,Amsterdam,+The+Netherlands&ei=VIgFT9XzFsOm8gP8iYXYAQ&sa=X&oi=local_group&ct=image&ved=0CAgQtgM
http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&client=firefox-a&hs=YpR&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&channel=np&prmd=imvns&resnum=3&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.,cf.osb&biw=1248&bih=747&um=1&ie=UTF-8&q=Amsterdam+coffeeshops&fb=1&hq=coffeeshops&hnear=0x47c63fb5949a7755:0x6600fd4cb7c0af8d,Amsterdam,+The+Netherlands&ei=VIgFT9XzFsOm8gP8iYXYAQ&sa=X&oi=local_group&ct=image&ved=0CAgQtgM
GOOD LUCK!
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