Amsterdam weighs ban on 'coffee shop' tourism

[Eugene]

Source: Deutsche Welle

Date 08.01.2021

Amsterdam weighs ban on 'coffee shop' tourism

The Netherlands' largest city has long been a haven for cannabis users around the world. But the mayor did not want the city to become only known as "a place of soft drugs tourism."

Tourists' plans to enter Amsterdam's famous "coffee shops" after the coronavirus pandemic may go up in smoke as the city's mayor considered banning foreigners from entering the shops.

Mayor Femke Halsema said many of the ever-increasing-number of tourists in The Netherlands' largest city were there simply to consume cannabis in the euphemistically named "coffee shops" and had become a problem for locals.

"Amsterdam is an international city and we wish to attract tourists, but we would like them to come for its richness, its beauty and its cultural institutions," said Halsema on Dutch public broadcaster NOS on Friday.

The public prosecutor and the police supported the move.

Why is Amsterdam known for cannabis?

It is technically illegal to consume cannabis in the country, but possession of fewer than 5 grams (0.18 ounces) was decriminalized in 1976 under a so-called "tolerance" policy. In principle, only Dutch residents are allowed to purchase cannabis in so-called "coffee shops," but there is an exception for shops in Amsterdam.

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Read more: https://www.dw.com/en/amsterdam-weighs-ban-on-coffee-shop-tourism/a-56177031

[Phoenix61]

1. It would make more sense to require a license

Something like a hunting/fishing license. They could limit the number and raise a lot of cash.

[sanatanadharma]

2. My experience visiting in 2007

At that time I could and did purchase and enjoy in Amsterdam, Maastricht, Utrecht.

Apparently things changed.

[mountain grammy]

3. I visited Amsterdam in 1983..

wonderful city, wonderful people. the Anne Frank annex brought her diary to life for me.. I recommend it to all.

[samnsara]

9. I stayed at The Canal House which was within walkin distance of Anne Franks House

...and nearby The Rainbow Warrior was parked..moored..tied up...whatever is done to a ship to stop it form floating away.

[getagrip_already]

4. who cares anymore?

Several years ago they were the only game in the world. They mattered. It brought in huge tourism revenues.

Now? Roughly half of all us states now have some form of legalization or decriminalization. You can drive just a short distance from anywhere and buy cannabis products to consume.

You don't need to travel anywhere exotic, although that is fun in itself.

They have been bypassed by the superhighway of life. They are the old rte 66.

Who cares what some provincial asshat wants or doesn't want in coffee shops?

[kysrsoze]

5. Way to cut off a major portion of your tourism industry.

I went there in 2007 and it was a beautiful place, with great art, architecture and surprisingly good food places. But let's face it... people don't travel there to purchase wooden shoes and there are a slew of fantastic cities to visit in Europe. Are they planning on doing the same for the red light district as well?

The city leaders need to grow up. Given the U.S. is moving further toward full legalization, they stand to lose that much more tourism. Perhaps that's what they want.

[samnsara]

8. They arent even holding the Cannabis Cup anymore..

...unless things have changed in the last 5 years.

[samnsara]

10. oh theres way more to Amsterdam than pot...Yep we bought the shoes, toured the red light..

...district in the glass topped boats. Didnt do any of the sex shows tho but the Museum of Pornography was interesting. The food is some of the best I have had.

We watched a man disrobe near the train station. Perhaps he was mentally ill or high. There was a crowd. The cops stood by patiently as he disrobed and then he began to dress again. When he was done they sent him on his way and everyone dispersed.


Its like New Orleans but less violent...

[TeamPooka]

6. California will accept your canna-tourist-dollars gladly. Come on down. Our cannabis

is better than Amsterdam's stuff anyway.
Wait til after the pandemic is over.

[samnsara]

7. ive been there as well...wow the food is GREAT! and Starbucks was indeed a coffee shop:)