Amsterdam introduces targeted cannabis ban

[majoha]

Amsterdam introduces targeted cannabis ban

23 December 2005

AMSTERDAM — A majority on Amsterdam Council agreed the introduction of a ban on cannabis use in specific areas of the city on Thursday.

The ban will be applied to areas where young people who smoke soft drugs in public are said to cause a lot of problems. Mayor Job Cohen will have the power to authorise a ban on the use of soft drugs in specific squares and streets for 12 months.

If the ban is judged to be a success, the municipality will continue to operate the new power.

Labour (PvdA), the largest party in Amsterdam, is against the ban. The party believes it will be impossible to enforce and that there is no clear link between soft drugs and anti-social behaviour.

But the party agreed to the 12-month trial period on Thursday.

The soft drug ban is an idea from the Baarsjes district of the city, where there are ongoing complains about young people hanging around the coffeeshops on Mercatorplein. They are accused of harassing locals, urinating in doorways and vandalising property.

A study by police identified 20 areas in the city will similar problems.


[Copyright Expatica News + ANP 2005]

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[bingey]

Yup cause street youths (don't now how you call em there) everything they do is a result of cannabis.

our government has really taken a few steps backwards and managed to become just as ridiculous as all the other ones in the last 5 years

 

[eagle_eye]

Yes no very smart if you ask me. People are going to smoke it anyway, banning it will just push it all underground. I thought the Netherlands were progressive but this is certainly not a step forward! I thought it was very well controlled and something the world could learn from when I was there!

 

[stoy420]

^^^
they're only banning public use in certain areas, much like laws in the US with drinking, or at least thats what it sounds like

 

[euphoria]

I think that's not a bad idea in theory. Some places they just don't want a buncha teenagers getting high. It's a shame they have to ban it at all though after it being legal everywehre.

 

[bingey]

I think it would make sense with drinking (which is tolerated almost anywhere)

no stoy this new rule will mean you can only smoke a joint inside or at the coffeeshop where you bought it

 

[ChemicalSmiles]

Once they accept a partial ban like this, dont you think they will be inclined to go further?

I give Amsterdam 10 or so years before pot is illegal again.

 

[stoy420]

I think it would make sense with drinking (which is tolerated almost anywhere)

no stoy this new rule will mean you can only smoke a joint inside or at the coffeeshop where you bought it

so then its exactly like drinking (at least in the states). You can only drink inside and the only outside place you could drink would be on your own property or on the patio of a restaurant (like with coffeeshops in Amsterdam).

 

[7zark7]

"They are accused of harassing locals, urinating in doorways and vandalising property."

So the pot smokers are doing this!? I don't think so...

 

[therollingstoner]

Once they accept a partial ban like this, dont you think they will be inclined to go further?

I give Amsterdam 10 or so years before pot is illegal again.

My thoughts exactly. Give up a little freedom and a lot is taken.

 

[bagera tomorrow]

"They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety."
-Benjamin Franklin