FARK.com: (7083612) Law banning cannabis for tourists in The Netherlands is under a week old, and already black markets have sprung up, people are now sparking up in public. PROBLEM SOLVED

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		Law banning cannabis for tourists in The Netherlands is under a week old, and already black markets have sprung up, people are now sparking up in public. PROBLEM SOLVED (reuters.com)		14
		More: Obvious, Netherlands, Pennsylvania Dutch, problem solves, soft drugs, tourists

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2601 clicks; posted to Politics » on 02 May 2012 at 5:18 PM | Favorite | share:

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Von_Ruff		2012-05-02 05:27:41 PM

4 votes:

You see this? Do you see this crap, morally-uptight people? Only someone with zero historical perspective or completely pants on head retarded could deny the relationship between prohibition, criminality, and the expansion of the police state to address the symptoms.

The people want drugs. For better or worse, let them have them. The current system has yet to yield the utopian society you've envisioned.

Tax Boy		2012-05-02 07:45:52 PM

3 votes:

Tema213: Also, to whomever mentioned world class cuisine and Amsterdam, I have a bone to pick with you. In general the food there is godawful

I went to Amsterdam and had great food at every meal. Mmmmmmm, Indonesian.

just like in London -- eat Indian food.

Pro food tip: If the country you're visiting conquered a people or two, eat the cuisine of the colonies.

Teknowaffle		2012-05-02 03:49:11 PM

2 votes:

As much as I support people's right to use soft drugs (though it is not my thing at all), I can understand the Netherlands starting to want to crack down on drug tourism.

The prevalence of cheap flights in Europe has brought in a ton of stag/hen nights coming in, and causing issues.

I have several Dutch friends who, along with just about everyone they know living there, have no real interest in getting high (hello US prudes... perfect example that prohibition increasea desire), but don't like the drug tourism that brings in those stag nights.

The Netherlands is small, but has a lot to offer, more than pot. Maybe that is a reason there are those there that want it gone, as it takes away from the Dutch national identity, especially as so many citizens see the EuroZone as eroding their national identity.

Bill_Wick's_Friend		2012-05-02 07:50:20 PM

1 votes:

Tema213: In general the food there is godawful

A whole herring on a bun with onions and a slap of spicy mayo is wicked yummy street food. Good cheeses. Good hearty beers. My first time there, especially, as a budget backpacker I very much appreciated cheap but delicious bread, cheese and beer.

I like Dutch food, I wouldn't say "god awful" but I'd call it more "rustic" than world-class.

Tema213		2012-05-02 07:36:18 PM

1 votes:

Teknowaffle: As much as I support people's right to use soft drugs (though it is not my thing at all), I can understand the Netherlands starting to want to crack down on drug tourism.

The prevalence of cheap flights in Europe has brought in a ton of stag/hen nights coming in, and causing issues.

I have several Dutch friends who, along with just about everyone they know living there, have no real interest in getting high (hello US prudes... perfect example that prohibition increasea desire), but don't like the drug tourism that brings in those stag nights.

The Netherlands is small, but has a lot to offer, more than pot. Maybe that is a reason there are those there that want it gone, as it takes away from the Dutch national identity, especially as so many citizens see the EuroZone as eroding their national identity.

I just moved back to the states after living in Amsterdam for a few years. There are certainly a bunch of stag parties there but the volume has gone down a ton. A lot of the Brits and others have moved on to Tallinn and other eastern European cities for those festivities. The ban is silly, and as others have mentioned, it's the result of the PVV, who many Dutch view in the same way many Americans feel about W. I have a hard time believing that Amsterdam is going to risk the massive amount tourist money by enforcing this law (and the Mayor is against it) especially given the economic situation over there right now but stranger things have happened.

Also, to whomever mentioned world class cuisine and Amsterdam, I have a bone to pick with you. In general the food there is godawful :) Though if you're in the red light district "Bird" on Zeedijk has fantastic Thai food but there's always a huge wait.

digistil		2012-05-02 07:23:11 PM

1 votes:

Headso: I remember hearing somewhere it wasn't the tourists it was the Europeans buying a bunch of weed and then driving it to other parts of Europe that caused the problems.

Bingo. The new law is thanks to the PVV, essentially Dutch redneck, fundamentalist right wingers. The PVV says Belgians and Germans come to Holland to smoke up, and that they become violent. They held up the budget for it. Next on there list is the banning of open shops on Sundays, I shiat you not.

/don't smoke or do other soft drugs

make me some tea		2012-05-02 06:22:18 PM

1 votes:

born_yesterday: make me some tea: Nabb1: Guess I need to go edit my bucket list:

Return trip to Amsterdam

I'm not really a pot smoker anymore, but yeah that sucks.

I used to love getting "coffee" in the morning, then going to the fantastic Art museums. I also liked walking around the quieter neighborhoods looking at the architechture and enjoying the city.

It's not that I need to smoke when I go there, but it does increase my enjoyment; it was the only city in the world I could enjoy world class food and art and be able to relax while enjoying a little smoke. And this law is a slap in my face, like I'm some sort of irresponsible junkie or some shiat.

Let's see what effect this law has on heroin or cocaine use. Go ahead, I'm waiting. And while you're at it, go fark yourself, Oh No Hoes.

Yeah, I hear ya. Damn shame. Hopefully they come back to their senses and repeal that. Talk about discrimination.

born_yesterday		2012-05-02 06:14:13 PM

1 votes:

make me some tea: Nabb1: Guess I need to go edit my bucket list:

Return trip to Amsterdam

I'm not really a pot smoker anymore, but yeah that sucks.

I used to love getting "coffee" in the morning, then going to the fantastic Art museums. I also liked walking around the quieter neighborhoods looking at the architechture and enjoying the city.

It's not that I need to smoke when I go there, but it does increase my enjoyment; it was the only city in the world I could enjoy world class food and art and be able to relax while enjoying a little smoke. And this law is a slap in my face, like I'm some sort of irresponsible junkie or some shiat.

Let's see what effect this law has on heroin or cocaine use. Go ahead, I'm waiting. And while you're at it, go fark yourself, Oh No Hoes.

Citrate1007		2012-05-02 05:21:10 PM

1 votes:

Netherlands: How do we hurt tourism and increase crime?

gilgigamesh		2012-05-02 05:10:35 PM

1 votes:

Oh, yes. Yes indeed.

gilgigamesh		2012-05-02 05:06:16 PM

1 votes:

Nabb1: Teknowaffle: As much as I support people's right to use soft drugs (though it is not my thing at all), I can understand the Netherlands starting to want to crack down on drug tourism.

The prevalence of cheap flights in Europe has brought in a ton of stag/hen nights coming in, and causing issues.

I have several Dutch friends who, along with just about everyone they know living there, have no real interest in getting high (hello US prudes... perfect example that prohibition increasea desire), but don't like the drug tourism that brings in those stag nights.

The Netherlands is small, but has a lot to offer, more than pot. Maybe that is a reason there are those there that want it gone, as it takes away from the Dutch national identity, especially as so many citizens see the EuroZone as eroding their national identity.

Honestly, I agree with everything you said. I went to the Netherlands while backpacking through Europe many years ago, and Amsterdam was a fantastic city with way more going for it that relaxed drug laws. And even then, you could find pockets of junkies hanging out in various parks. I'm somewhat surprised they hadn't done this sooner. It's unfortunate, but in the end, quite understandable. There are many things in there similar to the way many New Orleanians feel about Bourbon Street, especially during Mardi Gras.

I've been to Amsterdam a few times, and it is a great city, available drugs or no.

But you haven't really seen the place until you've stood transfixed before the canal at Oudezijds Achterburgwal at night, red lights dancing on the waters, and completely zizzed on mushroom tea. I couldn't bear to move for what felt like hours.

It also reminds me of New Orleans in many ways. It feels like a sister city.

kbronsito		2012-05-02 04:01:52 PM

1 votes:

Teknowaffle: As much as I support people's right to use soft drugs (though it is not my thing at all), I can understand the Netherlands starting to want to crack down on drug tourism.

The prevalence of cheap flights in Europe has brought in a ton of stag/hen nights coming in, and causing issues.

I have several Dutch friends who, along with just about everyone they know living there, have no real interest in getting high (hello US prudes... perfect example that prohibition increasea desire), but don't like the drug tourism that brings in those stag nights.

The Netherlands is small, but has a lot to offer, more than pot. Maybe that is a reason there are those there that want it gone, as it takes away from the Dutch national identity, especially as so many citizens see the EuroZone as eroding their national identity.

Is the red light district tourism as much of a problem as the drug tourism? (IDK.) But it must have its own issues. Maybe its less of a problem since other European countries also have legalized prostitution. But it does make me wonder that if they can ban foreigners from purchasing weed, then they may also try to ban foreigners from banging their whores. Of course, then the prostitutes may decide to stop farking the members of the legislature for making them lose money.

Nabb1		2012-05-02 03:53:04 PM

1 votes:

Teknowaffle: As much as I support people's right to use soft drugs (though it is not my thing at all), I can understand the Netherlands starting to want to crack down on drug tourism.

The prevalence of cheap flights in Europe has brought in a ton of stag/hen nights coming in, and causing issues.

I have several Dutch friends who, along with just about everyone they know living there, have no real interest in getting high (hello US prudes... perfect example that prohibition increasea desire), but don't like the drug tourism that brings in those stag nights.

The Netherlands is small, but has a lot to offer, more than pot. Maybe that is a reason there are those there that want it gone, as it takes away from the Dutch national identity, especially as so many citizens see the EuroZone as eroding their national identity.

Honestly, I agree with everything you said. I went to the Netherlands while backpacking through Europe many years ago, and Amsterdam was a fantastic city with way more going for it that relaxed drug laws. And even then, you could find pockets of junkies hanging out in various parks. I'm somewhat surprised they hadn't done this sooner. It's unfortunate, but in the end, quite understandable. There are many things in there similar to the way many New Orleanians feel about Bourbon Street, especially during Mardi Gras.