Smoke it whilst you can, in The Dam

Smoke it whilst you can, in The Dam

Ban threat to Dutch cannabis cafes


Pot-smokers are dazed by the proposed law. One of the Netherlands' most popular attractions, cannabis-selling cafes, face an uncertain future under a planned new law banning smoking in public places.

The outlets, which draw millions of tourists each year, allow patrons to buy marijuana over the counter and openly smoke joints without fear of arrest.

Under the new regulations, the cafes, known as "coffee shops", will still be able to sell soft drugs but customers may have to indulge elsewhere.

Coffee shop owners say they are aghast at the prospect.

"The whole point of going to a coffee shop is to smoke," said Arjan Roskam, chairman of the Union for Cannabis Retailers.

The new legislation aims to protect employees from passive smoking, and while coffee shops are not the intended target, all companies with staff will be affected.

Coffee shops have been operating in the Netherlands since 1972 and there are now more than 800 such establishments.

Easily distinguishable from more regular cafes by their gloomy exteriors and green neon signs, the cannabis cafes provide menus offering a wide variety of hashish and marijuana.

Although cannabis is formally illegal in Holland, authorities turn a blind eye to its sale and use in controlled environments.

Patrons have reacted to the new law with alarm.

"They've got to be out of their minds," said Annemiek van Royan, a regular smoker in the Kashmir Lounge coffee shop.

"I bought a joint for now and a little more for later at home. The best part is coming here to relax. It makes my day!"

The new law, which is due to be approved by the government soon, will come into effect next January.


What a bummer

its such a stupid piece of legislation, but i suppose if cities like new york and states like california can ban smoking indoors, its not really a shock

kinda ruins the buzz of going to amsterdam if you cant smoke indoors, in the coffee shops, doesnt it?

what is the fucking point in that?

if the workers are worried about passive smoking then why the fuck get a job in a coffee shop where the whole idea is to smoke?????

fuckin makes no sense :evil: :evil: :evil:

i thought it was only in public

not anymore
all 13000 of new yorks bars, restaurants etc now have bans on smoking in them

Hope this clamping down does not affect smoking in bars.

Used to love being in a bar, suppin a nice cool pint, then doing in a few joints.

Long may this continue.

is that not public like?

Fucking good job I say.

You smokers are fucking filthy.... I put u on par with skag heads, if some filthy skag head jacks up in front of me I'll twat him, same logic should be applied to smokers.

fuckin try it sunshine

I'm in newcastle tomorrow, just try lighting up...

I'm a time bomb waiting to explode :evil:

all these months of havin to put up with me and dave smokin like chimneys im not suprised

i smoke, but i hate smoking inside a house... much rather go outside that and i dont like smoking round people who dont...

What will happen if you explode?

it'll get messy

its never happened before as no-one has ever been that foolish.... so I couldn't say.

but if any foolish punk wants to test me.... try it :evil:

That's what I also do.

It's a dirty habit. It's rank if you get stuck behind a smoker in say, the Metrocentre, or any enclosed complex and you get all the dirty smokers filth in your face. Nasty.

its like the trains, i wouldnt dream of sitting in the smoking carridge, they are fuckin disgusting... i d rather not smoke whilst on a train!

I can feel your internal conflict from here.

Some management consultant the firm got in the other day was sharing his wisdom on how to deal with stress/anger. He said go for the out/in approach. So my good fellow, take a good breath then exhale for OUT and inhale for IN

OUT with ANGER
IN with LOVE

Will this help?

no

Fair enough.