Amsterdam tourist cannabis ban rejected by mayor

Gerald · 11-03-12, 08:21 AM

Quote:

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.

Quote:

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 · 11-03-12, 08:27 AM

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

11-03-12, 08:58 AM

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 · 11-03-12, 09:20 AM

Quote:

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 · 11-03-12, 09:24 AM

Quote:

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 · 11-03-12, 09:50 AM

Quote:

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 · 11-03-12, 12:07 PM

Quote:

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 · 11-03-12, 03:32 PM

Quote:

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 · 11-03-12, 05:16 PM

Quote:

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...

Jimbuna · 11-04-12, 06:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by u crank

Refreshingly honest post.

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

DITTO

em2nought · 11-03-12, 06:59 PM

Quote:

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 · 11-03-12, 07:06 PM

Quote:

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 · 11-04-12, 02:44 AM

Quote:

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.

kiwi_2005 · 11-04-12, 05:55 PM

Quote:

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.

I smoked Marjawana from my early 20s till i hit 35, nearly everyday, 7days a week a joint & cup of coffee was breakfast, first smoke for the day and i would go off to work come home and have another joint for the evening. Wife at the time smoked too all our friends smoked so there was no way i could give it up if i wanted too. But I didn't want too, made me relax and enjoy life one of the best things it would do to me is when stoned i would read for hours. Then come 35 i and the wife split up with me the kids to look after. I thought if i am to bring them up its best that i am straight as they were still young. So i gave it up in a day, no drawbacks no cravings it was easy cause i had be a proper father to them and i don't know if i would of been if i was always stoned. So i went straight . Tobbacco now thats a different story i still struggle to kick it. I can give up smoking for 6 or so months but end up going back. I never got that with dope.

geetrue · 11-04-12, 06:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kiwi_2005

I smoked Marjawana from my early 20s till i hit 35, nearly everyday, 7days a week a joint & cup of coffee was breakfast, first smoke for the day and i would go off to work come home and have another joint for the evening. Wife at the time smoked too all our friends smoked so there was no way i could give it up if i wanted too. But I didn't want too, made me relax and enjoy life one of the best things it would do to me is when stoned i would read for hours. Then come 35 i and the wife split up with me the kids to look after. I thought if i am to bring them up its best that i am straight as they were still young. So i gave it up in a day, no drawbacks no cravings it was easy cause i had be a proper father to them and i don't know if i would of been if i was always stoned. So i went straight . Tobbacco now thats a different story i still struggle to kick it. I can give up smoking for 6 or so months but end up going back. I never got that with dope.

Great testimony man ... glad you saw the light for your children.

I too gave it up ... took about five days to get free, but free indeed I am. I think better now, look better have less fears glad I quit, but unfortunately for my son who is 44 ... he didn't quit and got caught with 22lbs in his back yard and now he's doing time for it with a trial coming up in a couple of months.

Practically legal in California, Oregon, Colorado and I think Washington is next. Just hope they don't let it go public ... if your smoking it stay off my streets man.

11-03-12, 08:27 AM	#2
BossMark Fleet Admiral Join Date: May 2011 Location: Leeds, West Yorkshire Posts: 15,272 Downloads: 278 Uploads: 0	A place where i have never been, but always to go so that I could go window shopping and see the sights __________________ Never trust the Tories look what Thatcher and Major did in the 80s and 90s and look what the wicked witch May is doing now doing now

11-03-12, 08:58 AM	#3
Rilder Stowaway Posts: n/a Downloads: Uploads:	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.