The Netherlands cracks down on marijuana tourism
By Jessica GentileJune 13th, 2011, 11:00 amComments (4)
Your American self might soon be banned from Dutch "coffee shops." At least the ones that sell more than just coffee. The country is apparently pretty fed up with its drugged-out reputation, especially as a go-to vacation spot for stoner tourists. According to a new government plan, cafes that sell cannabis will become private, citizen-only clubs with yearly membership limited to 1,500 customers at each of the country's two-hundred-some-odd pot-friendly coffee shops.
The plan is part of an initiative to promote health and crack down on crime. But critics claim the plan will drive the drug trade underground and hurt the economy and tourism. While the true impact is yet to be seen, the new plan could let you see a whole other side to Amsterdam — a sober one. Try experiencing the Anne Frank House like that.
Commentarium (4 Comments)
not that i don't happily smoke weed on a daily basis and believe prohibition is silly and blah blah blahhhhh, but...i'm actually pretty okay with this. if only for the reactions of all the trustafarian assholes who are going to have their post-graduation backpacking trips so cruelly disrupted. nothing like a childhood in the land of medical marijuana to totally ruin one's image of one's potsmoking peers.
Considering the decriminalization of less than a certain amount in some states, it's one tourism item that is really getting more competition. Bet the prostitution goes next..
The issue is not the weed, it's the other things that come with it--illegal narcotics (that is, illegal in Amsterdam) and a touring public that basically thinks of it as their place to do whatever they want. As a touring American myself I think this is a bit of a loss, but as someone who would like to experience an Amsterdam where I can go out late at night without feeling unsafe, I'm ok with this.
I was really confused, and this answered all my qeutsonis.