From mid-May it is forbidden to smoke cannabis on the street in the old city center of Amsterdam. The rule, which was already announced last year, should reduce the nuisance caused by drug use, especially by tourists.
The city council will also investigate whether a pick-up ban for soft drugs can be imposed. That pick-up ban would then apply from Thursday to Sunday from 4 p.m. to 1 a.m. “If the nuisance does not decrease sufficiently with the smoking ban, the possibilities of prohibiting smoking on terraces at coffee shops in the area will also be examined,” says the municipality.
The measures are part of the package announced last year to combat the crowds and nuisance in the Red Light District. The police and boas will enforce the smoking ban, writes The parole. Furthermore, as of April 1, the closing times for the catering industry and prostitution will be limited. And in mid-May, the municipality will tighten the alcohol sales ban.
For catering establishments, an adjusted closing time of 2:00 a.m. will apply, instead of 3:00 or 4:00 a.m. Also, no new visitors are allowed in from 1:00 am. “Because this does not work if the terraces are still open, the council also wants the terraces to close at 1:00 am in the summer months.” That is still happening at 2:00 am. For window prostitution, the closing times will be 3:00 AM, instead of 6:00 AM.
“Residents of the old city center are structurally and excessively bothered by the crowds and nuisance caused by mass tourism and substance abuse in the public space,” says the municipality of Amsterdam. Moreover, tourists would attract street dealers, who in turn cause crime and insecurity.
“Especially at night, the atmosphere can become grim: many people are under the influence and hang around for a long time. This is at the expense of the residents’ night’s sleep and the quality of life and safety of the entire neighborhood.”