Number of coffeeshops in Amsterdam down 30 percent

Puffin13 · Post by **Puffin13** » Sat 26th May 2007 07:41 am

Number of coffeeshops in Amsterdam down 30 percent

published: Thursday, May 24 2007, 9:18PM

Statistics show that the number of coffeeshops in Amsterdam (the ones where you can buy soft drugs) has gone down from 350 in 1995 to 241 now.

The sale of softdrugs is tolerated in the coffeeshops, but the rules are strict. A coffeeshop has to close if the rules are broken 3 times. When a coffeeshop is closed, a new one is not allowed to open (extinction policy).

In April of this year the coffeeshops where smoking and drinking alcohol was allowed had to choose between becoming a regular pub (with alcohol sales, but no drugs), or a coffeeshop. This measure also reduced the number of coffeeshops.

The new government has announced that coffeeshops that are within 500 meters of a school also have to close. This would mean closure of 93% of the Amsterdam coffeeshops. It is uncertain whether the national rule will be strictly applied in Amsterdam.

Figures show that 30% of all visiting tourists go to a coffeeshop, so coffeeshops are important for the tourism to Amsterdam.

Source: http://www.simplyamsterdam.nl/news/news_frontpage.php

sh@dy · Post by **sh@dy** » Sat 26th May 2007 10:55 am

this really sucks

is there really NO WAY to open new shops?

Badfrog · Post by **Badfrog** » Sat 26th May 2007 04:19 pm

Close 93% of the shops

Mark_d · Post by **Mark_d** » Sat 26th May 2007 10:47 pm

i dont normally see schools near the coffeeshops :s:s

Prestoned · Post by **Prestoned** » Sun 27th May 2007 12:42 am

Nooooooooo! 93%?

Matt_B · Post by **Matt_B** » Sun 27th May 2007 10:55 am

So if this is actually true, and 93% of the 241 remaining shops were forced to close, that would leave us with 16 or 17 shops.

I know I'm not the only one hoping this doesn't really happen...

user54321 · Post by **user54321** » Sun 27th May 2007 11:35 am

The new government has announced that coffeeshops that are within 500 meters of a school also have to close. This would mean closure of 93% of the Amsterdam coffeeshops

It would just cause more problems with the ques for said 16/17 remaining coffeeshops being right out into the street and down the road, especially at peak times/season

What they really should have done is engaged their brains first before speaking. I guess they haven't taken health and safety into consideration on what is essentially a health and safety matter. They're a smart bunch eh?

milehigh · Post by **milehigh** » Mon 28th May 2007 01:33 pm

The sky is falling, Run for your lives. Or, don't believe chicken little. The 500 meter rule is only a proposal. It will never pass.

mh

DC · Post by DC » Mon 28th May 2007 02:12 pm

Let's hope so, cos there's a school on the Damstraat which would effectively wipeout most of the coffeeshops in the lower part of town, just by itself.

cheese · Post by **cheese** » Mon 28th May 2007 03:08 pm

shit eh, i really hope this doesnt happen!!

when do they plan for this new proposal to take effect??

islandgurl · Post by **islandgurl** » Mon 28th May 2007 04:11 pm

milehigh wrote:The sky is falling, Run for your lives. Or, don't believe chicken little. The 500 meter rule is only a proposal. It will never pass.

mh

Thank you for this info., mh. I feel much better now, was a little concerned when I first read it.

cattales1960 · Post by **cattales1960** » Mon 28th May 2007 04:17 pm

Neldo wrote:
The new government has announced that coffeeshops that are within 500 meters of a school also have to close. This would mean closure of 93% of the Amsterdam coffeeshops
It would just cause more problems with the ques for said 16/17 remaining coffeeshops being right out into the street and down the road, especially at peak times/season

What they really should have done is engaged their brains first before speaking. I guess they haven't taken health and safety into consideration on what is essentially a health and safety matter. They're a smart bunch eh?

The state where I live, if you get caught within 1000 meters of a school you will go to jail without passing Go.

user54321 · Post by **user54321** » Mon 28th May 2007 04:44 pm

cattales1960 wrote:The state where I live, if you get caught within 1000 meters of a school you will go to jail without passing Go.

And in some places you get lifted with a bit for a single J it can lead to life getting yer ring peice ridden sore... I call these places HELL ON EARTH. Governed by Nazi Stormtroopers.

islandgurl · Post by **islandgurl** » Mon 28th May 2007 05:13 pm

Yep same here, catt. I was called to serve jury duty last year... guess what my potential case was? You guessed it... kid about 18 got caught with marijuana within 1000 feet from a school.

I could tell when I walked up there from my profile, they were going to want me on that jury. I was so pissed and when it came time for me to answer their questions I let them have it right between the eyes (it's nice being intelligent and having knowledge of the law). When I addressed our overcrowded prisons and if they were going to let out a child molester who would most certainly hurt another child, to make room for this pot smoking boy who didn't hurt anyone, well, the prosecuting attorney cut me off right then and there. They HATE it when people know the law and what goes on within the system, as they expect ignorance. They picked the wrong woman.

Sad part was? I was the only honest person... everyone else was too afraid to speak out. There were several potential jurors who said it should be legalized for medical purposes (including a nurse that was up there with me) but most were obviously too intimidated to be honest and I could not only see it, I could feel it.

Seems I've been fighting and wishing for justice my whole life, only to discover it's hard to find, let alone achieve. Will it deter me from pursuing it? Never.