Like most people, I have been to Amsterdam…but missed out and didn’t partake in the stickiest of the icky or sequester myself in coffee shops for hours where the patrons smell like steamed dirt mixed with patchouli. Which is sad, because now I’ll never have that chance.
Amsterdam is putting the kibosh on stoners with more rigid laws and guidelines for their internationally known coffee shops where you can go in and discuss the entire recorded output of The Doors with a straight face. Complaints (I’m sure) from the population and more measures taken from the far-right government has dictated that more of a watchful eye will be cast on the rules and regulations of the 220 licensed coffee shops in the Netherlands. I’m sure that’s something that stoners will love – the government watching their habits.
Critics argue that it’ll obliterate tourism to the Netherlands – yeah, pretty much. What else would you be going to see there – the flowers and the Anne Frank house? You’re going to transform a country from a destination of twenty-somethings and people down to party…into people who roll in flower fields minus the high. Sober people rolling in flowers isn’t as fun.
Patrons will be required to sign up for a membership, and each shop will have a maximum of 1500 members.
Comments
Mat & Ben
May 30th, 2011 - 5:47:02 AM
no offence but what a load of crap! whats the issue with tourists smoking weed. they will lose out on the business aswell as stopping alot of people going to amsterdam, all that people will do is sell this illegally. what is the issue with leavibg things how they are??? if they do impose this rule it will make alot of people unhappy
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Dick Mellon
May 31st, 2011 - 12:19:05 PM
Some other country should pick up the ball and run with it. I wish my country would.
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Richard
June 2nd, 2011 - 4:01:52 PM
I agree with you totally Mat & Ben I turned 18 last year and have been looking forwards to amsterdam for a few years now i found this i am thinking of not going... the tourists do make the company's loads of money
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Alan
June 6th, 2011 - 7:39:29 AM
Funny how America is running to a world that Amsterdam is running from. Spending a time or two in the Dam, the coffee houses are a problem. One huge one is the Russian mob. They've muscled in on the red light district, drugs, coffee houses and human trafficking. Sure, closing the shops will hurt tourism but it will make life so much more nice for the locals.
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Fee
June 13th, 2011 - 12:20:18 AM
sorry but alan how would pushing something further underground by making it illegal make it better for the locals? EVERYONE KNOWS PROHIBITION DOESN'T WORK!!!
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