Amsterdam to Ban Cannabis?
Here’s Why Amsterdam May Close Down the Coffeeshops Its Famous For – LPC
It’s ironic that for decades, the city that’s been known for its cannabis coffeeshops might ban cannabis altogether. Amsterdam is well-established on the backpacker scene. It’s the first stop many young Canadians make when they get their Eurorail pass.
But that’s part of the problem, as this article suggests. (Please see link below.)
“Many Amsterdam residents strongly resent the international image of its coffeeshops and red-light district,” writes Mia Hynes. “The city government has coupled its anti-coffeeshop push with an increased focus on the capital’s rich artistic heritage. The behaviour of typical coffeeshop customers has also drawn campaigners’ ire, as they are frequently stereotyped as rowdy backpackers. Combined with the support from police and prosecutors, and with a socially conservative national government in power, the future of Amsterdam’s coffeeshops is uncertain at best.”
It’s this “drug tourism” that leads many Amsterdamers to cringe. The vision of the young and wild backpacker “disinterested in the other aspects of Amsterdam’s rich cultural heritage” shows their bias. They also claim that backpackers fail “to contribute to the wider tourist economy”.
Hynes disagrees. “Such portrayals are vastly oversimplified. Drug tourists still eat; indeed, if anything their cannabis consumption makes them more likely to visit local restaurants and shops.”
Cannabis Ban Already in Effect in Amsterdam
What many are surprised to hear is that Amsterdam – indeed the whole Netherlands – already has a cannabis ban. While decriminalized and tolerated, cannabis is still technically illegal.
Writes Hynes: “The coffeeshop model does have its advantages for the country. Dutch policy distinguishes between hard and soft drugs… cracking down on genuinely dangerous or highly addictive hard drugs.
“Coffeeshops are part of this pragmatic system,” she continues. “Restrictions on advertising mean they can do little to directly promote the sale of their product anyway.”
Although coffeeshops are tolerated, drug trafficking is not. And that leads to another paradox. Since coffeeshops don’t have access to a legal supply of cannabis, where do you think they’re getting it from?
“Existing ties between coffeeshops and drug smugglers exist as a result of prohibition,” Hynes writes. “If the city tries to crack down on the coffeeshops, it is far more likely to lead to dubious, hard-to-police workarounds than anything else.”
Full Legalization – Not Further Cannabis Ban – the Answer
It seems obvious that the full cannabis legalization is the best option, not a cannabis ban. Amsterdam is miles ahead of anyone else in terms of a legal, orderly coffeeshop system. In fact, some see the Amsterdam experience as important as its Rijksmuseum, Anne Frank’s house, and its many canals. To tear down the coffeeshop model would be like tearing down history.
But of course, that’s ultimately for the Amsterdamers to decide. And as usual, politics are coming into play. This is not the first time that predominantly right-leaning citizens have wanted a cannabis ban. In fact, it’s another in a string of attempts by small-c conservatives in the city “which has, historically, tried to kill coffeeshops where possible.”
Besides, cannabis legalization in Europe seems inevitable at this point. Many wonder when France will legalize cannabis. Canadian LPs are already supplying Germany with medical cannabis. Tilray opened a cannabis research and growing campus in Portugal. And, after the Tilray Aphria merger, the new super company is poised to take over Europe and the US. When legalization comes.
So, perhaps a cannabis ban in Amsterdam isn’t ironic after all. Perhaps the only reason we’re hearing about it this time is precisely because the world is legalizing cannabis. Whatever Amsterdamers decide, coming cannabis legalization is the end of an era for this beautiful city. And if cannabis is legal everywhere, those who want to do away with Amsterdam’s coffeeshops might see cannabis tourism disappear anyway.
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