In two minds

[sikz]

Hi all,

I've been lurking for a few months now but haven't posted much, anyway I have a conundrum I need some help with!

My girlfriend and 2 friends were planning to go to Amsterdam 22 APril - 25 April (Easter weekend, also happens to be my birthday )

We wanted to rent an apartment, and I've found a few which aren't cheap but look amazing, however, I've also been reading about the possibility of the CS scene in Amsterdam closing down, and to be honest the main reason we're going is for the smoking.

I'm fairly close to booking the apartment and flights, however, if there's no CS's I don't want to go :p I've soaked up the culture in previous visits and as this is a birthday trip the plan is a pretty straightfoward one, go and smoke as much as possible.

So what would you do? Because of work commitments we need to book fairly soon, but would you hold off as long as possible or just book it telling yourself they can't possibly remove the whole CS scene in a shade over six months?

Any opinions greatly appreciated, it's a shame all this politics is already beginning to cast a cloud (and not the right kind of cloud, either!) over my trip.

[The_Green_Bastard]

If they ,it would be a decision made by the government, any changes would take over a year to be implemented.

If you book an apartment tonight, I'm pretty sure coffeeshops will still be open in amsterdam in 6 months time.

Thats my opinioin, book your trip but be warned 6 months is one hell of a count-down. The wait would be unbearable for me.

[CHELSEA_SMOKERS_SOCIETY]

any chance you just pay the deposit on the apartment?

that way if the worst happens you only loose a small amount.

i have to agree that if or when this whole thing with closing shops to foreigners happens, there will be a long period of appeals and paperwork and what not, so i think you will be safe. just look at the smoking ban announcement, and also the mushrom ban announcement. these were announced about a year in advance.

[donpacino]

Hi all,

I've been lurking for a few months now but haven't posted much, anyway I have a conundrum I need some help with!

My girlfriend and 2 friends were planning to go to Amsterdam 22 APril - 25 April (Easter weekend, also happens to be my birthday )

We wanted to rent an apartment, and I've found a few which aren't cheap but look amazing, however, I've also been reading about the possibility of the CS scene in Amsterdam closing down, and to be honest the main reason we're going is for the smoking.

I'm fairly close to booking the apartment and flights, however, if there's no CS's I don't want to go :p I've soaked up the culture in previous visits and as this is a birthday trip the plan is a pretty straightfoward one, go and smoke as much as possible.

So what would you do? Because of work commitments we need to book fairly soon, but would you hold off as long as possible or just book it telling yourself they can't possibly remove the whole CS scene in a shade over six months?

Any opinions greatly appreciated, it's a shame all this politics is already beginning to cast a cloud (and not the right kind of cloud, either!) over my trip.

Go ahead and book up, u will be fine, will take at least a year to implement from the announcement date and it is not for definate that things will change anyway, this new government is so unstable it could collapse at any time. I have booked my flights and hotel to amsterdam for next august allready, is cheaper that way.

[Rufus]

Go go go go
I've booked for july

[bleak]

they can't possibly remove the whole CS scene in a shade over six months?

Yeah, even if they do change the coffeeshop laws, theres no way they will just suddenly shut down everything overnight.

Coffeeshops are a recognized business segment that that pay rent, yearly taxes, contracts, licences, employees etc. The CS owners would lose big money if they had to shut down without warning. People wouldn't have it. Many CS owners are respected members of society who have investments in other business etc.

If there IS a drastic change to the CS laws, it will be like the smoking ban - like at least 1 year warning, a gradual transition. The CS owners will be given time to wind down the business properly and cleanly (if necessary, lets hope it doesn't ever come to that)

[bushdoctor]

Go!
I´m in town for 4-20 and booked my stay already and realy don´t worry!
I agree with the people here: This change in legislation will have a tremendous impact on the scene... think of all the new bureaucracy!
It will surely take a year to "implement" all that shit!

So don´t worry and enjoy your (last?) holidays in Amsterdam! I definitely will!

[sikz]

Thanks for all the replies guys and girls

I have now booked a really nice looking apartment in the Jordaan area for the dates I mentioned before, can't wait!

[Rufus]

Good on ya