Visit in 2013 worth it?

[CatPiano]

Hi everyone,

Haven't posted in a while. Since I last visited Amsterdam in May 2011 my friend and I promised each other to go back once we both had the cash - we loved it, such a beautiful place.

The main reason we wanted to go back though is because we did enjoy the drug culture (particularly the truffles) and wanted to go back to explore further.

http://www.government.nl/documents-and- ... shops.html

I did know about the bans, but I hadn't realised they were spreading to the north as early as 2013. I know there has been much campaigning against it, but what are the chances of them being repealled after the coming election?

Do they apply to smartshops as well as coffeeshops?

So sad. I was really looking forward to going around Feb-March time. I wonder how else they're thinking of building their economy.

[treetop]

Hi everyone,

Haven't posted in a while. Since I last visited Amsterdam in May 2011 my friend and I promised each other to go back once we both had the cash - we loved it, such a beautiful place.

The main reason we wanted to go back though is because we did enjoy the drug culture (particularly the truffles) and wanted to go back to explore further.

http://www.government.nl/documents-and- ... shops.html

I did know about the bans, but I hadn't realised they were spreading to the north as early as 2013. I know there has been much campaigning against it, but what are the chances of them being repealled after the coming election?

Do they apply to smartshops as well as coffeeshops?

So sad. I was really looking forward to going around Feb-March time. I wonder how else they're thinking of building their economy.

Might want to hold off from booking that 2013 trip until the Dutch election results are known. Not long to go now.

[matty223]

go enjoy yourself, if it happens it happens shouldnt stop you from going

[Judo]

amen to that.. go anyway

plus I predict you will be able to score decent weed quite easily for a long time

[avalon]

IT'S OVER!!!!!
I'LL NEVER GO BACK IF I CAN'T SIT IN A COFFEESHOP.

[burghclash]

IT'S OVER!!!!!
I'LL NEVER GO BACK IF I CAN'T SIT IN A COFFEESHOP.

Calm down dear. The government hasnt been formed yet so wait and see

To the OP: hold off a little while before booking. That's what I'm doing and if they do ban tourists, I'll be there in December!!

[Sailor59]

Even if the weed pass is introduced and tourists banned from coffeeshops there will still be plenty of weed about and the government cant ban you from smoker friendly bars. I would imagine a few more bars may become smoker friendly to fill the void.

[Willjay]

I'm going in April of 2013, and I will smoke in coffee shops, meet up with fellow ACDers, buy my weed from a tax paying dealer inside one of those coffee shops. Cannabis is to big of a business in Amsterdam to go away because of a law, the coffee shops started and it was against the law, they continue to operate against the law at the back door, and the law in Amsterdam does not want prohibition. Sorry for the rant

[TwoCanucks]

I'm going in April of 2013, and I will smoke in coffee shops, meet up with fellow ACDers, buy my weed from a tax paying dealer inside one of those coffee shops. Cannabis is to big of a business in Amsterdam to go away because of a law, the coffee shops started and it was against the law, they continue to operate against the law at the back door, and the law in Amsterdam does not want prohibition. Sorry for the rant

well said Willjay, not a rant at all... very level headed.

[mitcheli1]

Lets really think about this.

Hells to the Yes you should go back.

Amsterdam's weed culture isn't going anywhere. And if they truly do introduce a Weedpass, I guarantee that no coffee-shops abide by it.

There's absolutely NO chance that this ban happens.

it' just a bunch of political gesturing. Nothing will happen. Mark my words.

The Netherlands can't afford a 2 Billion dollar per year tourism loss.

[avalon]

I love your optimism, but after this Weedpass is in place Amsterdam is just like any other city. You guys ask now "is it ok to smoke in shop#1 if I bought weed in shop #2, do you think they will welcome you with street weed??

I just said I would not go back if I cannot have the true Amsterdam Coffeeshop experience, I'm 58 and not flying from US to buy weed from some guy on the street.

I cannot vote in Holland but I can vote with the absence of my money.

[AzLaker]

I'm going in April of 2013, and I will smoke in coffee shops, meet up with fellow ACDers, buy my weed from a tax paying dealer inside one of those coffee shops. Cannabis is to big of a business in Amsterdam to go away because of a law, the coffee shops started and it was against the law, they continue to operate against the law at the back door, and the law in Amsterdam does not want prohibition. Sorry for the rant

well said Willjay, not a rant at all... very level headed.

+1

AzLaker

[Willjay]

I'm going in April of 2013, and I will smoke in coffee shops, meet up with fellow ACDers, buy my weed from a tax paying dealer inside one of those coffee shops. Cannabis is to big of a business in Amsterdam to go away because of a law, the coffee shops started and it was against the law, they continue to operate against the law at the back door, and the law in Amsterdam does not want prohibition. Sorry for the rant

well said Willjay, not a rant at all... very level headed.

+1

AzLaker

you all going to join me I'll be there April 19-21 back April 27-May 2

[spireax]

I'm going in April of 2013, and I will smoke in coffee shops, meet up with fellow ACDers, buy my weed from a tax paying dealer inside one of those coffee shops. Cannabis is to big of a business in Amsterdam to go away because of a law, the coffee shops started and it was against the law, they continue to operate against the law at the back door, and the law in Amsterdam does not want prohibition. Sorry for the rant

well said Willjay, not a rant at all... very level headed.

+1

AzLaker

you all going to join me I'll be there April 19-21 back April 27-May 2[/quote]

see you there

[Willjay]

that puts the count at 4, and we haven't even started to count yet