Amsterdam implements ‘Cannabis Ban’ in the Red Light District

In Amsterdam, the use of cannabis on the streets in the red light district will soon be prohibited by new regulations imposed by the city.

These laws, which take effect in mid-May, aim to improve the quality of life for residents who have been plagued by the disruptions caused by tourists.

In addition to the cannabis ban, sex workers will be required to close their establishments at 3am. The city council stated that nearly all council members supported taking action to minimise the impact on residents.

Restaurants and bars will also be required to close at 2am on Fridays and Saturdays and no new visitors will be allowed into the old city district after 1am.

The sale of alcohol from stores, liquor stores, and cafes in the red light district will be illegal from Thursday to Sunday after 4pm and vendors will be asked to remove alcohol from their shopfronts or hide it from view during this time.

Consuming alcohol in most public spaces in Amsterdam is already illegal. The city is widely known for its cannabis cafes and attracts millions of tourists each year. However, residents have expressed concerns about street dealers and an increase in crime rates due to drug and alcohol abuse.

While it is a criminal offence in the Netherlands to possess, produce, or deal drugs, the country has a “tolerance policy” that allows coffee shops to sell cannabis under strict conditions.

One of these conditions is that coffee shops should not cause any disturbance. In response, the government has ordered them to stop attracting foreign drug users.

Along with the new regulations, the Amsterdam council will launch a “stay away” campaign in the spring to target tourists who visit the capital for drugs, alcohol, or sex.

#MaltaDaily