I never thought I would have to try and imagine an Amsterdam without the coffeeshop experience. It’s like trying to imagine the country of Ireland banning Guiness Beer to all tourists; or the city of London, allowing only those who grew up with pound sterling in their pocket, to enter the front door. The object of your desire will still be there to tempt you, but you won’t be able to obtain it. Not without consequences at least. By the end of this year, it will be illegal for tourists to visit Amsterdam coffeeshops. And, it will be illegal for Dutch citizens to visit the cannabis coffee shops unless they have acquired a yearly membership to the ‘private club.’
Or will it be illegal?
The news about the ‘Dutch coffeeshop ban’ first hit last week and even received some press in the mainstream media outlets. Besides the proposed ban and the implementation of a ‘Weed pass’ – or yearly membership for Dutch locals – the details are few and unclear. I just chatted with a Dutch friend, Marco, who has lived his entire life in Amsterdam. He ‘finds it hard to believe the Dutch government would go as far as banning the coffeeshops to tourists.’ He also mentioned there is ‘another political party that may try and step in.’ But even he was unclear on the situation and seemed to be starving for more details.
I talked with another friend, Dave, an American who frequents Amsterdam about 3 times a year. He is currently on the ground in Amsterdam and has been there for almost 2 months now. He mentioned ‘he has no idea what’s up but no one here gives a ‘bleep.’ Amsterdam at its finest.
Without concrete information, rumors are running rampant. Some suggest the Mayor of Amsterdam may have the key to make the final decisions, overriding any desire by the far right wing government and some say more details will be revealed later this month. But until more details are revealed, we may not really know the extent of this ban.
Or, if it will really happen.
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