Tourists Banned From Dutch Cannabis Cafes

[Illusion]

Foreign tourists will be banned from entering cannabis cafes in Amsterdam after a ruling by a Dutch judge.

The judge upheld a new law to stop foreign visitors from entering Holland's famous coffee shops - meaning they could be banned by the end of the year.

Under the new law, Dutch residents will still be allowed into the cafes, as long as they have valid identification, or possibly hold a new "weed pass".

The restrictions come amid concerns that tourists are visiting the country solely for drugs and that foreign dealers are selling illegally back at home.

The ban is due to start in three southern provinces next month, and go nationwide by the end of the year.

The new regulation reins in one of the country's most cherished symbols of tolerance - its laissez-faire attitude toward soft drugs.

For many tourists visiting Amsterdam, smoking a cannabis joint in a canal-side coffee shop ranks high on their to-do lists.

Relaxing outside The Bulldog, a coffee shop in downtown Amsterdam, Gavin Harrison and Ian Leigh of Northern Ireland said they hoped the city wouldn't change.

"I think it's going to be a shame for Amsterdam, I think it's going to lose a lot of tourists," Mr Harrison said.

Mr Leigh said he had been visiting Amsterdam for a decade and had noticed the erosion of tolerance over the years. "It's taking a step back," he said.

Coffee shop owners have not given up the fight.

A week ago they mustered a few hundred patrons for a "smoke-out" in downtown Amsterdam to protest the new restrictions.

A lawyer for the owners, Maurice Veldman, said he would file an appeal against the ruling by The Hague District court.

The ban will turn coffee shops into private clubs with membership open only to Dutch residents and limited to 2,000 per shop.

The Netherlands has more than 650 coffee shops, 214 of them in Amsterdam.

[icheerthebull]

we must fight this discrimination!!!

[RedneckR0nin]

Their weed is far too expensive for art fag weed anyway. Come to BC instead. Cheaper more weed friendly and beautiful city with lots to see and do. Tons of ocean life too.

[Rille]

This will cost em about 99% of their tuorism...

[Faline]

Originally Posted by Rille

This will cost em about 99% of their tuorism...

Took the words out if my mouth lol

[Rille]

Originally Posted by Kelly

Took the words out if my mouth lol

...can I put something else there...

Ohhhh Sorry!!! i just couldnt help myself...


Sorrryyyyy!

[Bukowski]

I'm from the Netherlands, don't worry; every tourist can still get as much sticky icky as he/she wants. There is a lot of uproar here about this stupid law. Thereby: the government, who came up with this legislation, just fell, the hippies (democrats) will form our new government & undo the law.

And even if they would continue with the law; there is nobody willing to control such a law. Police have better things to do. Same with possession of hard drugs here; it's officially forbidden, but as long as the amount you carrying is for your own consumption only you wont be arrested or fined. You can even have your XTC checked on quality at dance parties

[Sharon]

"weed pass"

[Pelle]

Originally Posted by Rille

This will cost em about 99% of their tuorism...

Wrong.. 100%.

[Steve]

I don't care personally but it seems heavy handed, whores next?