Dutch to bogart weed
An 'economy-sized' blunt is fired up in protest. (AP)
A popular reason to visit the Netherlands is about to go up in smoke.
The Associated Press reports a national “pass the weed” law will prevent foreigners from purchasing marijuana in the zillions of “coffee shops” lining the canals of Amsterdam.
City leaders in Amsterdam must feel like they’ve been hit in the head with a wooden shoe because stoned tourists (and multiple dikes) help keep their fabled city afloat.
The new law, which will take effect throughout the country by 2013, will turn coffee shops into private clubs with membership open only to Dutch residents.
The national government argues the move will help crack down on so-called “drug tourists,” couriers who drive over the border from neighboring Belgium and Germany to buy large amounts of marijuana and take it home to resell.
Soon, the only reason to visit Amsterdam may be its rich history, culture, fantastic museums and tawdry sex shows. The local beer remains overrated.
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53 comments Add your comment
Scott Pruden
April 27th, 2012
8:41 am
Aw man! I always went there for the Delftware, nobody told me about the legal dope!
Will
April 27th, 2012
8:46 am
I’d go to Amsterdam, smoke a fattie and then hang out in Anne Frank’s attic and play Pink Floyd albums. No reason to visit now.
fes
April 27th, 2012
8:47 am
Smart move. This will cripple the economy of of many of the Dutch cities.
matt
April 27th, 2012
8:57 am
This will eviscerate their tourism industry. Prohibition has always been, and will always be, nothing but a costly failure.
Whoa Nelly
April 27th, 2012
9:09 am
“Puff, the magic dragon lived by the sea”
jus'sayin'
April 27th, 2012
9:12 am
But you’ll still be able to buy shrooms
richard
April 27th, 2012
9:16 am
Since the government just fell this week, it is unlikely the new government will move forward with the plan to outlaw tourists in coffee shops. The plan was to roll it out later this year in the South and next year for the whole country. The new government will be formed by September so we will know then. If they were to try to make private clubs in Amsterdam most likely the law would be ignored anyway or you would just see it move to the streets since having pot would still would be “tolerated”. In the South there is already pushback as you must register with the government to get an ID for the coffeeshop membership. Few are willing to put there names on a list with the government so, it will likely be ignored in the South as well.
c dog
April 27th, 2012
9:28 am
Amstel and Heineken are pretty good! But yea, no reason to visit if i can’t light it up
Trizzle
April 27th, 2012
9:28 am
I believe they have moved the “shrooms” to a higher class of controlled substances which carries fines and jail time. I was considering going over there to see the culture and take in the sites. The smoke would have just been a benefit but I am not sure it’s really worth the trip anymore. I can see what I want to see in pictures and save a hell of a lot of money.
Gary
April 27th, 2012
9:29 am
Scratch traveling to Amsterdam from my bucket list.