No tourist ban or maybe there will be....then again...

[CesarJeez]

Agreed...no reason to go crazy over this. It's nothing a good connection and a balcony can't take of.

[Uncle Ron]

Out of interest DUR how did you get your passes then ? I believe your not a Dutch resident or national

The only requirements at the time was being over 18, a current passport, and five euros.
I theorized at the time, and still do, that this was the test bed for the Wiet Pass System. The official reason given was to prevent underage purchases, monitor the amount sold to an individual per shop per day, etc...
I still have the one from Roots/Oase. It's white, the size of a credit card, with a five digit number on the lower right side, and a black swipe strip on the other side.

No ban...

[Uncle Ron]

Agreed...no reason to go crazy over this. It's nothing a good connection and a balcony can't take of.

EXACTLY!!!

FTB...

[Boner]

It would be like telling the cinese they can't grow anymore rice.

No it wouldn't.

Agreed...no reason to go crazy over this. It's nothing a good connection and a balcony can't take of.

I doubt many Americans would travel half way round the world at a cost of thousands to smoke on a balcony.

[milehigh]

KD, hop on the sane train with those of us who don't buy into it or don't give a fuck... Much better for your health...

Me
USBL
Kermit
Marco
Twich
Uncle Ron
And anyone else who has a brain...

~Ian

I've got a brain and a place in Amsterdam. I don't think you grasp the reality of the situation. Implementation of the wietpas could start as early as July 1st. I think that is about 30 days or so from now. It is a country wide initiative, and will be a national policy. Nothing is written in blood yet, but by Mid-June many questions will be answered.
This is real and it is serious. The coffeeshop owners are just shop keepers with little to lose when this takes affect. They have little power to do anything and in fact they are not doing very much at all. Only a very small group of locals even care about this. And they don't have the resources to do much either.

I don't see any light at the end of the tunnel until or unless this coalition falls and or a more reasonable government is elected. I don't expect either to happen at this point.

I believe most tourist's visiting Amsterdam will probably be ok until the end of the year. But I don't write or implement the policies. I can only offer my opinion.

Did anyone see the reuters story today?

http://uk.reuters.com/article/2011/05/2 ... 4420110527

[milehigh]

If you think that MHD somehow deeply understand this country, then by all means listen to him. His jaded view of this country will just what you guys need to start hating the place that was only a drug-destination for most of you anyways.

Peace

Marco, I am far from Jaded and I do have a deep understanding of the Netherlands. I made it my mission for several years to understand the language, the culture, the people, etc. I live in a Dutch household with Dutch people. These same Dutch people also vote and have opinions that don't agree with your Dutch people. I saw Anne write the other day that she did not even know there was a cannabis culture in the Netherlands. And she is a friend of ours. It shows that it is not an important issue to most. Most of the Dutchies I know are very proud of the tolerant attitude that used to prevail. Many are very ashamed that only Geert gets international press. So, we may see two different Hollands from two different perspective's, but my opinion is valid and based on fact. I also report good news when I see it. I just haven't seen any lately.

I love many things about the Netherlands and many people there too. This month I have staying with me, the first guy to sell hash in public in Holland at the Paradiso out of an ice cream cart before coffeeshops. Later in the summer I will have the guy that opened the first coffeeshop in Amsterdam here. I know a little something about this industry. Probably more then most coffeeshop owners. They come to us for info.

I am glad you are happy with your gig.

[darkglobe]

/\Reuters report/\



The most relevant point for the near future would be -

The policy will roll out in the Southern Provinces of Limburg,Noord Brabant and Zeeland by the end of the year and the rest of the country next year,the spokesman said

So we're ok for this year,anyway...roll on November

[Cry Tuff]

KD, hop on the sane train with those of us who don't buy into it or don't give a fuck... Much better for your health...

Me
USBL
Kermit
Marco
Twich
Uncle Ron
And anyone else who has a brain...

~Ian

You proved on your very brief stay at Channels what an arrogant and opinionated little non entity you are, and roundly and thankfully got chased away. So witnessing, with much mirth and merryment, your attempt to ingratiate yourself on this forum with such witless and clueless knowledge, only serves to bolster your reputation as an utter cock. As, in relative terms, you have only recently appeared out of the ether, you'd be better served if you just stfu until you actually had any credible grounding to state an opinion.

[HasAnyoneSeenMyPipe]

KD, hop on the sane train with those of us who don't buy into it or don't give a fuck... Much better for your health...

Me
USBL
Kermit
Marco
Twich
Uncle Ron
And anyone else who has a brain...

~Ian

You proved on your very brief stay at Channels what an arrogant and opinionated little non entity you are, and roundly and thankfully got chased away. So witnessing, with much mirth and merryment, your attempt to ingratiate yourself on this forum with such witless and clueless knowledge, only serves to bolster your reputation as an utter cock. As, in relative terms, you have only recently appeared out of the ether, you'd be better served if you just stfu until you actually had any credible grounding to state an opinion.

Actually, how about you STFU as well, you have only posted 4 times here and you think you can come blundering in with yer size 9's start insulting people.
Please go back to channels and stop flaming here.

[SGawain235]

I doubt many Americans would travel half way round the world at a cost of thousands to smoke on a balcony.

Speaking as an American I can say that I unfortunately agree. When you compare Amsterdam as a tourist destination next to the other major cities in Europe it just doesn't measure up from the POV of someone who would spend around 1400 euros including food, hotels, flights, etc. The Netherlands is a wonderful place but it doesn't have anything that can match the Louve in Paris, the British Museum in London or even the Glyptotek and National Museum in Copenhagen. Also remember that from the POV of flying in from another continent other than having to learn some French to do ok in Paris it is pretty much a wash as far as expense and difficulty for all of those cities(as well as most cities in Europe until you get into eastern Europe).

So I would say that unless the Netherlands finds something more unique than, "we'll be really really nice to you in a Disney sort of way"(which I get the impression that is their current plan) then as far as international tourism they will be crushed like a grape by the 500lb gorillas they are surrounded by.

[Cry Tuff]

KD, hop on the sane train with those of us who don't buy into it or don't give a fuck... Much better for your health...

Me
USBL
Kermit
Marco
Twich
Uncle Ron
And anyone else who has a brain...

~Ian

You proved on your very brief stay at Channels what an arrogant and opinionated little non entity you are, and roundly and thankfully got chased away. So witnessing, with much mirth and merryment, your attempt to ingratiate yourself on this forum with such witless and clueless knowledge, only serves to bolster your reputation as an utter cock. As, in relative terms, you have only recently appeared out of the ether, you'd be better served if you just stfu until you actually had any credible grounding to state an opinion.

Actually, how about you STFU as well, you have only posted 4 times here and you think you can come blundering in with yer size 9's start insulting people.
Please go back to channels and stop flaming here.

Oh hello. Youre a chap that starts a sentence with the the word 'actually', uses a tired and irrelevant proclamation that a user has' only' a certain number of posts and unashamedly sees fit to insert a silly emoticon to illustrate your pique of exasperation. You are, by all clear definition, a whiny upholder of cliquery, were dismal on school sports day and are likely to possess a thoroughly smug and pompous character trait. With regards my post , im inclined to view it as more of an accurate assessment of someones wilful ignorance concerning the pending changes to Coffeeshop restriction, as opposed to 'flaming' . But, of course , your sort always know better.

[puffpuffgive]

^^^ new favourite poster

[donpacino]

Whoa...calm down people, no need to get personal, most people will be in the same boat if these changes go ahead, other than those who live there, so there is no use in turning on each other.

Am i right to say/assume tho that amsterdam will more than likely be ok for the rest of this year and next year is the time to worry? Can we agree on that at least?

[HasAnyoneSeenMyPipe]

hahahahahaha, looks like adampster has a rival, we already have aresident nutter mate so fuck off.

[Kingdoc]

How would they even begin to work it? would you still be able to roll one up in a smokers bar for example if you had some? or will it even be an offence to be in possession again?,They are tons of questions that need answers & knowing the dutch they will worm a way round this somehow,KD.

Here is how it works in Venlo. You enter the shop and show them your pass (and photo ID). If you don't have a pass (membership), you buy one. If you are not a Dutch citizen/resident, they will show you the door. The rule is members only. If guests were allowed, why have the ban in the first place?
I don't give a fuck either way. I smoked weed long before I ever stepped into a C/S, and will continue to do so long after the last one closes (if this comes to pass).

If this happens, then it happens. If not, then it's business as usual.

Nothing happy about this shit...

Well why are they asking the owners of these coffeeshop to choose one way or the other? ie locals or pothead tourists?,That doesnt sound like a blanket ban to me & rest assured there WILL be places where we can score! unless they ban us totaly of course,Speak with you soon no doubt KD.