1 Jan 2007 - what changes?

[DC]

Yeah, but it wouldn't exactly be a step forward though. Plus, even to implement the changes to accomodate that would cost each shop well over 50,000 each. Which might not sound a lot to some people, but it's a big enough number to punch a large enough hole in a years profits to badly injure most shops. Not too mention, who the hell (apart from the likes of the bulldog and the grasshopper) is gonna throw 50 grand at a business that is effectively reggressing.....and at best....is gonna be at a lower level of buisness even when the money is made back. For some reason, the thought of a room in the Bulldog filled with 'everybody' on Vapos and space cakes doesn't exactly fill me full of confidence or enthusiasm. Not to mention, what do ya think would happen to the prices?.

[Rev]

I personally think within 10 years year's we'll see EU weed legislation and the UK will take over as the main coffeeshop country for US tourists (and UK obviously). As long as I can grow my own I don't care!

Rev

[SoenderbronX_DK]

Yeah, but it wouldn't exactly be a step forward though. Plus, even to implement the changes to accomodate that would cost each shop well over 50,000 each. Which might not sound a lot to some people, but it's a big enough number to punch a large enough hole in a years profits to badly injure most shops. Not too mention, who the hell (apart from the likes of the bulldog and the grasshopper) is gonna throw 50 grand at a business that is effectively reggressing.....and at best....is gonna be at a lower level of buisness even when the money is made back. For some reason, the thought of a room in the Bulldog filled with 'everybody' on Vapos and space cakes doesn't exactly fill me full of confidence or enthusiasm. Not to mention, what do ya think would happen to the prices?.

Indeed! It is a proven and known fact that any legislation “regulating”, intervening with or controlling any business causes serious harm to it. This case is a prime example; if shops were to be limited to vapo-action only it would totally change the culture of “going to a CS” from what it is today to something unimaginably more to our dislike. The entire CS experience (and I’m not speaking from experience but pure logic here) is based on freedom, incursions on the freedom needed to even have this culture have already taken a lot of tolls on CS’ in the ‘dam, which is evident by reading these pages and what DC has to contribute with. Further incursions will only hinder the natural trade governed by the laws of the free market. To be more concrete the almost unimaginable image of 20 tables in neat rows, each equipped with a build-in vapo, filled with tourists anxiously waiting for their first Amsterdam “toke” is in my book sufficient to cement this point…

IMO the “no smoking in a workplace” laws, if forced upon the CS business, will reduce all but a few of the shops to a grap’n’go style place, if that…

SoenderbronX_DK

[bedge]

IMO the “no smoking in a workplace” laws, if forced upon the CS business, will reduce all but a few of the shops to a grap’n’go style place, if that…

SoenderbronX_DK[/quote]

u and DC are right i thought the "no smoke in work" would finish coffee shops as we know them.The few to survive would be "buy and fly" not much good to tourists.Cant smoke outside or in bars or coffee shops whats left the hotel room or maybe a squat bar bad news!!
i just heard that coffee shops have to stop selling T shirts and lighters with there name on,or any leaf images.Looks just like another crap law to hassle the CS industry in general i cant see any logical reason for a law like this.(can anyone confirm??)
Still the dutch government has just resigned so maybe the next lot will reverse the no smoking policy.
Looking back the licensing of the coffee shops was probably a long term plan to get rid of them.
A lot of the RLD windows are to close in september allso and teasers on damrak has closed as the city council try to clean up its image to a family tourist destination instead of sex and drug tourists.I think the city will lose millions of euros a year if the only attractions are the tulips and museums.
best wishes all
bedge

[Doog]

Judging from what I have heard about the RLD, closing large sections of it will probably only move the gangster types into other areas of the city.

I was under the impression that prostitution was legal and that prostitutes were subject to income tax, so this might also not be so beneficial for the Dutch goverrment.

I do totally agree though about the closure of Teasers. YUCK.

[Paco]

Ballkenend retreated, hopefully things in NL getting better.

[Mark_d]

is it true that most of these laws are passed cos of pressure from the rest of the EU? especially france? if so thats bullshit! worry about your own country! how is it affecting them if people go to amsterdam to smoke weed?

[AmeriSkunk]

I read hat it was pressure from the UN, also if Wernard takes the election these laws hopefully wont be accepted. Anyone know when the election are going to be held after the fall of the cabinet?

[mazdog]

According to a new article i read about it, it is unclear at this point when the elections will be held. Something about they are gonna have a special meeting to decide if they will do them ASAP or wait til after the new budget in Sept.

[sonicblue]

All I can say about a smoking ban is that I would agree to suport such a thing as long as smokers as tax paying citizens of the community were protected and respected to live their lives as they choose. As in, there must be designated places where is was understood that smoking is allowed.

I already respect the rights of non-smokers by not smoking in certain places and I hope non-smokers would grant me equal courtesy.

Let's fact it. If you are a non-smoker what the heck are you doing in a coffeeshop?