I once read a book that described the streets before the introduction of the coffeeshops, it was a book about football but this guy was describing how everything was done down dark alleys out of sight, and you were lucky if you didnt get mugged along the way, he described an intimidating, often violent . Rather than reducing crime this will increase it. It is an opportunity for the street trade to reappear.
the city of amsterdam have done a good job of cleaning up the area of junkies and charlie boys and now they government is doing there darnedest to bring them back.
The trade hurts noone and the city of amsterdam thrives on it.
Where there is a will there is a way, and outlets will still be be more easily available there than in other towns and cities, but it was the ease there that drove people there, and if they think that this wont hurt their economy they are honestly fooling themselves.
I know just quite how many people used to go to amsterdam for the smoke and they will be hurting the small businesses there, which is silly. The foreigners coming to the netherlands weren't causing the problems.
I have spoken to lots of dutch who are sick of being known only for hookers and redlights and who want their country to be more respected in the world for the right reasons, you cant really argue with that. they have every right to feel that way.