Visit in 2013 worth it?

[AzLaker]

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

I'm looking at April 16 thru April 29.

AzLaker

[TwoCanucks]

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

i'd really like to get there for a 4/20 party, unfortunately it doesn't look possible in 2013... but never say never

[treetop]

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

i'd really like to get there for a 4/20 party, unfortunately it doesn't look possible in 2013... but never say never

Have no idea what is going to happen. Would prefer to return for proper visit to AMS during 4/20. Just a nicer time of year to be around town. Too cold in December even though I'd love to go to the cup just once before it goes elsewhere.

The worst thing is not knowing what will happen. Sure there is bravado everywhere but wouldn't you like to know exactly what will be happening before you book a long flight?

[Willjay]

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

I'm looking at April 16 thru April 29.

AzLaker

now we are at 5

[spidergawd]

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

I'm looking at April 16 thru April 29.

AzLaker

now we are at 5

+1

[Sailor59]

Looks like 23rd June for a week is taking shape. Wietpass or no wietpass.

[doctordude]

I really like your optimism But you should be aware that the people in A'dam don't really count. This is happening on a national level and it is already happening!

I live close to Venlo, which is the boarder town to Germany in Limburg province, one of the 3 southern provinces where the Wietpas took effect on Mai 1st. The mayor and council of Venlo were from the PvdA (workers party / social democrats) and very much opposed to the new regulation. But they just couldn't do anything.

It goes like this:
a) Some asshole sees foreigners coming out of shop X
b) He presses charges
c) The chief of policy usually likes his job and will close down shop X
c2) Even if the chief of police does nothing, thus breaking the law, then
d) asshole goes directly to the public prosecutor (provincial level) and presses charges against the chief of policy
e) public prosecutor likes his job and will remove chief of police
e2) even if prosecutor doesn't like his job, then
f) asshole turns to prosecutor general of NL who fires chief of police and prosecutor

Result:
In Venlo 2 out of 5 shops are already closed, 1 stays open only until his lease runs out. All shops have huge losses in revenue and people are laid off. You have minors roaming the streets, trying to sell Wiet to people and even camera teams!!!

The dutch politicians claim, everything is under control

So sad, people can only react with sarcasm:


Let's hope the PvdA prevents the Wietpas from happening on a national level!

Edit: Added link to picture source https://keinwietpas.wordpress.com/ (in german)

[Willjay]

[katsukenny1]

i'm 60 october,been smoking weed and resins from age 15 .I can't live without the peace of the dam.what they gonna do next? 1978 I started my biannual trips there. Have a heart!

[katsukenny1]

I really like your optimism But you should be aware that the people in A'dam don't really count. This is happening on a national level and it is already happening!

I live close to Venlo, which is the boarder town to Germany in Limburg province, one of the 3 southern provinces where the Wietpas took effect on Mai 1st. The mayor and council of Venlo were from the PvdA (workers party / social democrats) and very much opposed to the new regulation. But they just couldn't do anything.

It goes like this:
a) Some asshole sees foreigners coming out of shop X
b) He presses charges
c) The chief of policy usually likes his job and will close down shop X
c2) Even if the chief of police does nothing, thus breaking the law, then
d) asshole goes directly to the public prosecutor (provincial level) and presses charges against the chief of policy
e) public prosecutor likes his job and will remove chief of police
e2) even if prosecutor doesn't like his job, then
f) asshole turns to prosecutor general of NL who fires chief of police and prosecutor

Result:
In Venlo 2 out of 5 shops are already closed, 1 stays open only until his lease runs out. All shops have huge losses in revenue and people are laid off. You have minors roaming the streets, trying to sell Wiet to people and even camera teams!!!

The dutch politicians claim, everything is under control

So sad, people can only react with sarcasm:


Let's hope the PvdA prevents the Wietpas from happening on a national level!

Edit: Added link to picture source https://keinwietpas.wordpress.com/ (in german)

[CatPiano]

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.

Two very good points Avalon.

I don't tend to smoke in the UK because it just isn't worth it if you get caught. Part of the deal about Amsterdam for me was being able to relax in a coffeeshop and the feeling of freedom that brought.

The only thing that will stop their government from implementing the ban is lack of funds. If I bring my money over there anyway, they have no reason to hold back.

[CatPiano]

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

It wouldn't be logical for them to discourage, let's face it, most of the tourist trade. But politicians aren't logical. Or the UK ones certainly aren't...

*Sigh* I just don't want to get my hopes up again... I was so excited about returning to the Dam before I realised that Wiedpass would make it a waste of valuable holiday time/money.

Thanks everyone for the great response Consider me a conditional +1 to our epic Dam storm...

[doctordude]

It wouldn't be logical for them to discourage, let's face it, most of the tourist trade. But politicians aren't logical.

I'm not so sure about the "most of the tourist trade" part. Ever queued in front of the Hermitage / Rijks- / Van Gogh- /Stedelijk Museums? And that's just the big 4. LOTS of people, many of whom are not interested in coffeeshops.
And the polititians are quite logical: Geert Wilders and the PVV have proven that anti-minority politics (against muslims, gays etc.) brings votes and wiet smokers ARE a minority. Add to that the political pressure from neighboring states with medieval drug policies (DE, BE, FR, UK etc.) as well as a desire for easy solutions and you get ... the Wietpas

Let's just hope that the new government takes the 3 southern provinces as a kind of "trial run", recognizes that it's a huge clusterfuck and pulls the emergency brakes before 2013. Given the budget deficit they hopefully cannot afford hundreds of new cops

[EasilySuede]

I'm not so sure about the "most of the tourist trade" part. Ever queued in front of the Hermitage / Rijks- / Van Gogh- /Stedelijk Museums? And that's just the big 4. LOTS of people, many of whom are not interested in coffeeshops.

+1
I will always go to amsterdam, because it continues to be one of the most fascinating cities in the world.
If the pass happens, just get a little more creative/resourceful/secret-agent-ish.
proost

[jimi62471]

Haarlem is coming up with an alternative plan to the weitpass, a "Hallmark" status. sounds like they have no intention of letting a weitpass happen.. GO HAARLEM !!!!

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/thc-entre ... 00277.html