Amsterdam tourist cannabis ban rejected by mayor

[Gerald]

The mayor of Amsterdam says he will not ban foreign tourists from using the city's famous cannabis cafes, after months of argument over new drug laws.

The move comes after the new government of the Netherlands said it would be up to local authorities whether or not to impose such a ban.

Mayor Eberhard van der Laan said banning the sale of the drug to foreigners could lead to more crime.

Each year, some 1.5 million tourists visit Amsterdam to consume cannabis.

"The 1.5 million tourists will not say 'then no more marijuana', they will swarm all over the city looking for drugs," said Mayor Van der Laan, who has long opposed a ban.

"This would lead to more robberies, quarrels about fake drugs, and no control of the quality of drugs on the market - everything we have worked towards would be lost to misery."

Light up,

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-20165371


Note: 1 November 2012 Last updated at 14:00 GMT

[BossMark]

A place where i have never been, but always to go so that I could go window shopping and see the sights

Why deprive yourself of that extra tourism income and extra money from taxing the sellers/producers?

Certain countries with high debts could definitely use the extra taxes they could bring in from legalizing certain substances like Marijuana.

[mookiemookie]

Originally Posted by Rilder

Why deprive yourself of that extra tourism income and extra money from taxing the sellers/producers?

Certain countries with high debts could definitely use the extra taxes they could bring in from legalizing certain substances like Marijuana.

That's what I believe too. Why on earth would Amsterdam take the industry it's known for and screw it all up? That's like Hollywood kicking out all the movie studios.

[Gerald]

Originally Posted by Rilder

Why deprive yourself of that extra tourism income and extra money from taxing the sellers/producers?

Certain countries with high debts could definitely use the extra taxes they could bring in from legalizing certain substances like Marijuana.

Legalizing certain substances like Marijuana,is not my bag, but this have been a issues long time ago.

[em2nought]

Originally Posted by Rilder

Certain countries with high debts could definitely use the extra taxes they could bring in from legalizing certain substances like Marijuana.

It's a shame we're such prudes. This place needs to hold together for another ten years for me to get out.

[Jimbuna]

Originally Posted by BossMark

A place where i have never been, but always to go so that I could go window shopping and see the sights

Lived in Holland, not far from Amsterdam for a few years and never saw anything to concern me that was connected with dope.

[Betonov]

Originally Posted by jimbuna

Lived in Holland, not far from Amsterdam for a few years and never saw anything to concern me that was connected with dope.

Marihuana is less dangerous than alcohol. It's not adictive enough to make someone go mad from abstinence, steal his grandmothers jewelry to get money and as long as you don't toast yourself to oblivion, it doesn't fry your brain. Unlike drunk people, stoned people don't get agressive, don't look around for trouble and don't start fights, drive like a grandmother (still dangerous to drive nevertheless).


I might as well come clean here. At the risk of this used against me in an argument
I smoke marihuana. Since april. Once a week, usually friday, I went to my friends house. We rolled home growned (I don't pay for drugs, even if I'm OK with using it), all natural. Drove there, walked home. Always stopped smoking when I felt that I was going to get wasted.
Why do I do it ?? It helps me relax. My thoughts loose the emotinal element. I helped me cope with 3 heartbreaks this year, a lot of labor intense projects and alcohol related family issiues. It milds my asthma and gives me a dreamless night. I lost the urge to kill someone since I started using.

So judge, tell me i'm a pothead, call my arguments invalid on the ground that i'm stones... I don't care. I don't suffer, people around me don't suffer and as I long as I maintain ''enough for tonight'' discipline, nothing will change.

[u crank]

Originally Posted by Betonov

Marihuana is less dangerous than alcohol. It's not adictive enough to make someone go mad from abstinence, steal his grandmothers jewelry to get money and as long as you don't toast yourself to oblivion, it doesn't fry your brain. Unlike drunk people, stoned people don't get agressive, don't look around for trouble and don't start fights, drive like a grandmother (still dangerous to drive nevertheless).


I might as well come clean here. At the risk of this used against me in an argument
I smoke marihuana. Since april. Once a week, usually friday, I went to my friends house. We rolled home growned (I don't pay for drugs, even if I'm OK with using it), all natural. Drove there, walked home. Always stopped smoking when I felt that I was going to get wasted.
Why do I do it ?? It helps me relax. My thoughts loose the emotinal element. I helped me cope with 3 heartbreaks this year, a lot of labor intense projects and alcohol related family issiues. It milds my asthma and gives me a dreamless night. I lost the urge to kill someone since I started using.

So judge, tell me i'm a pothead, call my arguments invalid on the ground that i'm stones... I don't care. I don't suffer, people around me don't suffer and as I long as I maintain ''enough for tonight'' discipline, nothing will change.

Refreshingly honest post.

No worries here mate. Although I haven't for many years I'd have to say I've smoked my share.

A couple of thoughts came to mind. "Live and let live" and this...

[em2nought]

Originally Posted by Betonov

Why do I do it ?? It helps me relax. My thoughts loose the emotinal element. I helped me cope with 3 heartbreaks this year, a lot of labor intense projects and alcohol related family issues. It milds my asthma and gives me a dreamless night. I lost the urge to kill someone since I started using.

Never tried it, but now I want to.

[mookiemookie]

Originally Posted by em2nought

Never tried it, but now I want to.

It's alright. Rather have a nice glass of bourbon on the rocks, though.

[Betonov]

Originally Posted by em2nought

Never tried it, but now I want to.

like alcohol, it's not for everyone. I just hope now it has the same effect on you as it has on me, so I did not contribute to any drug related problems

It's all about having the discipline to stop. Unlike alcohol, where you throw up after you had too much, you can fry your brain in one night. My co-worker showed up so wasted the other night, that he was like that internet meme, one eye looking the other way than the other. That there is drug abuse. Some people just don't know when to stop.

[Jimbuna]

Originally Posted by u crank

Refreshingly honest post.

A couple of thoughts came to mind. "Live and let live".

DITTO

[Gerald]

Originally Posted by Betonov

like alcohol, it's not for everyone. I just hope now it has the same effect on you as it has on me, so I did not contribute to any drug related problems

It's all about having the discipline to stop. Unlike alcohol, where you throw up after you had too much, you can fry your brain in one night. My co-worker showed up so wasted the other night, that he was like that internet meme, one eye looking the other way than the other. That there is drug abuse. Some people just don't know when to stop.

Right,

[Tchocky]

Originally Posted by jimbuna

Lived in Holland, not far from Amsterdam for a few years and never saw anything to concern me that was connected with dope.

They brought in restrictions last year here in Maastricht, and frankly I never saw any issues before. Only change is a bunch oif coffeeshops going out of business through either less trade or closing out of principled opposition.

Not an issue that I hugely care about, but I haven't seen a massive downside to the way the Dutch do it, aside from Amsterdam being pretty unbearable on busy tourist days.

Whereabouts did you live, jim?