No More Cannabis, Hookers in Amsterdam

[K. Darien Freeheart]

Netherlands officials are going to be using subsidies for "upgrading" buildings, enforcing stricter zoning laws and stepping up enforcement in Amsterdam to combat the crimes of... Marijuana possession and prostitution.

It will force about 20% of the city's business to close down, leaving a smaller group to operate.

http://www.ktla.com/content_landing_page/?Amsterdam-to-Close-Brothels-Marijuana-Ca=1&blockID=154810&feedID=1080

[freeborn]

Sure, leave it to governments to screw up something good.

[Brandon]

I wonder if the rest of the EU is pressuring them at all.

[Organjic]

Amsterdam's coffee shops make more money on food/beverages than weed... but the only reason they are consumed is because of weed.  Oh and I can guarantee that the meth and heroin addicts will increase and probably deface Amsterdam.  Nobody will ever want to go.

[Fluff and Stuff]

Oh and I can guarantee that the meth and heroin addicts will increase and probably deface Amsterdam. 

Why do you connect meth and weed?

[Organjic]

Oh and I can guarantee that the meth and heroin addicts will increase and probably deface Amsterdam. 

Why do you connect meth and weed?

In Holland, they have free clinics that provide needles and safe havens for hard drug addicts.  Theyll be shutting them down.  Some shops do sell harder drugs, so there are addicts spending a couple bucks for their fix vs. 20 bucks for a joint.  Just look at the united states of amerika

[KBCraig]

It will force about 20% of the city's business to close down, leaving a smaller group to operate.

This is favoritism, ripe for corruption, but it is not the same as "No More Cannabis, Hookers". Both vices will continue to be readily available in Amsterdam. The legal, officially approved sources will probably cost more due to government protectionism against competition. The illegal, unapproved sources will increase in number.

This would normally be a good thing, except illicit sources charge too much for questionable quality, because the government constrains the competition.

[slim]

I was looking to take a vacation to Amsterdam but I don't think I will go now. They just lost some business.

[K. Darien Freeheart]

This is favoritism, ripe for corruption, but it is not the same as "No More Cannabis, Hookers".

The way it read to me was kind of emphasizing the fact that both prostitution and cannabis are both is FACTUALLY illegal but unenforced. While the government people say they're only going to run 20% of business owners into the ground, "mission creep" keeps echoing in my head.

[AntonLee]

I was looking to take a vacation to Amsterdam but I don't think I will go now. They just lost some business.

beat me to it, when the weed goes, so goes business.  What's the difference between any of these cities now?  Nothing in my mind, now there's one less I want to go to at all.

[coffeeseven]

When I read about this a few months back I THOUGHT (correct me) that government wanted to shut down the percentage of pot suppliers they considered to be black market (read free market) so as to completely control pot supply to cafes and eliminate prostitution.

[Pat McCotter]

This is my memory of Amsterdam:

De Poezenboot (The Cat Boat)


The Cat Boat is the only animal sanctuary in the Netherlands that literally floats. A refuge for stray and abandoned cats which, thanks to its unique location on a houseboat in Amsterdam's picturesque canal belt, has become a world-famous tourist attraction.

Water and cats... 
Most cats hate water. But ours learn to love living on it. After all, we have been keeping their feet dry since 1966.

In that time the Cat Boat has developed into a modern and professional sanctuary providing tender loving care to countless cats.

On this site you can find out how we came to be here and the rest of our history. You will also meet some of our cats and our people. And, as well as this virtual introduction, you can find details of where and when you can visit us for real!

[KBCraig]

This is my memory of Amsterdam:

De Poezenboot (The Cat Boat)

Gotta admit, I was surprised to see that the "cat boat" involved actual felines. What with it being Amsterdam and all.

[Organjic]

This is my memory of Amsterdam:

De Poezenboot (The Cat Boat)

After a burnin a fatty those kitties would look delish!

[Pat McCotter]

This is my memory of Amsterdam:

De Poezenboot (The Cat Boat)

Gotta admit, I was surprised to see that the "cat boat" involved actual felines. What with it being Amsterdam and all.