Amsterdam, while at the leading edge of cannabis freedom in Europe, recently banned the on-the-street use of marijuana. This move sees the city continuing its distancing from its previous reputation as marijuana king and further distancing from its neighboring countries, which have steadily become more open to cannabis and have started establishing legal systems.
Why The Banning?
The ban comes at a time when the city is on the path of improving residents’ quality of life. Along with banning on-the-street marijuana, the city is discouraging alcohol consumption in the Red Light District.
As a popular tourist destination, Amsterdam and the old city center have seen a steady increase in nuisances caused by mass tourism and subsequent alcohol and drug abuse on the streets. These tourists allegedly attract street dealers, who allegedly see criminality and insecurity skyrocketing during the night. Now, the old city center faces a harsh environment with intoxicated individuals hanging around the streets.
These intoxicated individuals cause havoc, with residents disturbed throughout the night. Now, feelings of fear and uncertainty prevail, and the city council feels obliged to intervene.
New Rules As Of Mid-May
Come mid-May, new measures and rules will be put into place. While the following rules are noted, residents have been offered the opportunity to offer their views and opinions via an online forum.
Measures are being ramped up to discourage sales of alcohol now. From 4 p.m., Thursday to Sunday, alcohol must be removed from view and stores. According to news reports, “It said it hoped the smoking ban would reduce nuisance. If this doesn’t work, the municipality said it would also consider banning take-out purchases of soft drugs at certain times and banning smoking marijuana at coffee shops’ outdoor seating areas.”
Other news reports explain further, “The municipality is also enforcing what it calls a “window time” for businesses that serve alcohol: no one will be allowed to enter after 1 a.m. These businesses must close their terraces at 1 a.m., an hour earlier than normal.”
But Is Cannabis To Blame? Or Is the Culprit Alcohol?
Reflecting on this move, it begs the question of whether or not the need to halt alcohol sales after 4 p.m. entirely, and all weekend long, is caused by alcohol. It also asks the question of whether or not alcohol is the actual main culprit causing this part of the city to “go crazy” partying.
City Officials’ Vision For The Area
City officials seek to draw in visitors who can appreciate its unique architecture, heritage, and culture rather than abuse alcohol and drugs. They, too, seek to revamp the area’s image. Future measures are said to be put into place soon, along with possibly banning smoking on coffee shop terraces. This is all to reduce crowds, nuisances, and the city’s image.
However, taking into consideration the city’s marijuana reputation, will the banning of marijuana on the streets aid this vision or affect it negatively? How will the 18 million overnight visitors expected in 2023 or the 23 million tourists expected in 2024 respond to the banning of marijuana on the streets?
Marijuana has always been a major tourism drawcard and benefit booster for the city. The future will see what is to come with marijuana on the streets no longer possible and Amsterdam’s backslide on its acceptance of cannabis. The effects of this will also see changes in Amsterdam’s neighbors and the global cannabis world as a whole.
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