Popeman38 Posted June 8, 2011 Share Posted June 8, 2011 Wait, people go to Amsterdam just to smoke weed? That is some expensive ass weed! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeterMP Posted June 8, 2011 Share Posted June 8, 2011 and by banning tourists from being able to purchase and use the drugs that they came there for, the black market will take on those customers and grow bigger. Or maybe they'll just stop coming? How many people are going to pay whatever it costs to go the Netherlands to use drugs, if when you get there getting the drugs isn't that easy? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lombardi's_kid_brother Posted June 8, 2011 Share Posted June 8, 2011 I never completely understood the desire to go to Amsterdam just to get high. You can get high in Waldorf. My guess is that Amsterdam has decided that the stoned idiots from UCLA are not putting enough money into the economy to justify the amount of money they are losing because business people do not want to visit a city filled with stoned idiots from UCLA. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Teller Posted June 8, 2011 Share Posted June 8, 2011 You are assuming the finanical benefit out weighs the negatives. They are also looking at changes in their prostitution laws. I thought Americans were the only ones dumb enough to outlaw "****in' awesome." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elkabong82 Posted June 8, 2011 Share Posted June 8, 2011 Or maybe they'll just stop coming?How many people are going to pay whatever it costs to go the Netherlands to use drugs, if when you get there getting the drugs isn't that easy? True, tourist industry will definitely take a hit (no pun intended) if this passes. However, if the black market steps up into the role, then people may still be willing to go to Amsterdam as a stopping point in Europe, especially since the search and seizure laws are so lax there. If people know that they can still get it there regardless of shop bans, they'll still go. Plus, weed is not the only drug people go to Amsterdam for. But for the average person, such as myself, when I read this news I basically thought "well, no need to go to Amsterdam, change it to Canada or India." So you're right, that the legal market will shrink, but I think this gives the black market an opportunity to expand as well, which obviously is not good for Amsterdam if they're trying to stop it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lombardi's_kid_brother Posted June 8, 2011 Share Posted June 8, 2011 Is there any proof that the "drug tourist" trade is actually good for Amsterdam? It's not like Paris is lacking for tourists. Here is something I honestly don't know: Do American student tours of Europe ever include Amsterdam? I never took one, but my parents chaperoned two and they hit London, Paris, somewhere in Switzerland and Rome. I can't imagine that Amsterdam is a popular destination becase of the drugs and whores - despite the fact that the Diary of Anne Frank is required reading in any number of 7th, 8th and 9th grade classrooms. So...prove to me that drug tourists are actually good for Amsterdam. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeterMP Posted June 8, 2011 Share Posted June 8, 2011 Is there any proof that the "drug tourist" trade is actually good for Amsterdam? It's not like Paris is lacking for tourists.Here is something I honestly don't know: Do American student tours of Europe ever include Amsterdam? I never took one' date=' but my parents chaperoned two and they hit London, Paris, somewhere in Switzerland and Rome. I can't imagine that Amsterdam is a popular destination becase of the drugs and whores. So...prove to me that drug tourists are actually good for Amsterdam.[/quote'] Places always want to be family destinations. Families spend money. Young people stay in cheap hostels or something similar and spend very little money. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lombardi's_kid_brother Posted June 8, 2011 Share Posted June 8, 2011 Places always want to be family destinations. Families spend money. Young people stay in cheap hostels or something similar and spend very little money. I doubt Amsterdam ever stops fully being Amsterdam. But I have to think that it's a bit like New Orleans at this point. There is very little proof that scores of drunken college students vomiting in the streets is an overall plus for a city. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeterMP Posted June 8, 2011 Share Posted June 8, 2011 True, tourist industry will definitely take a hit (no pun intended) if this passes. However, if the black market steps up into the role, then people may still be willing to go to Amsterdam as a stopping point in Europe, especially since the search and seizure laws are so lax there. If people know that they can still get it there regardless of shop bans, they'll still go. Plus, weed is not the only drug people go to Amsterdam for. Other drugs are illegal in the Netherlands. But yes, if what you said happens in your first post happens, then it will happen. Of course, the most likely scenario is that people coming to the Netherlands for drugs will go down and what you said in your first post won't happen. ---------- Post added June-8th-2011 at 05:07 PM ---------- I doubt Amsterdam ever stops fully being Amsterdam. But I have to think that it's a bit like New Orleans at this point. There is very little proof that scores of drunken college students vomiting in the streets is an overall plus for a city. I don't know. Look at NYC. I'm sure somebody in the late 1970's would have told you they don't think NYC will ever fully stop being NYC. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Teller Posted June 8, 2011 Share Posted June 8, 2011 So...prove to me that drug tourists are actually good for Amsterdam. More money to blow...High school kids who sold hoagies to get there, or wealthy adults on an R&R trip? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Larry Posted June 8, 2011 Share Posted June 8, 2011 and by banning tourists from being able to purchase and use the drugs that they came there for, the black market will take on those customers and grow bigger. Yeah, cause the world is full of people who want to go to the Netherlands to buy illegal pot, because they can't get illegal pot at home. ---------- Post added June-8th-2011 at 05:14 PM ---------- Of course, the most likely scenario is that people coming to the Netherlands for drugs will go down. I thought somebody said they were changing the prostitution laws, too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lombardi's_kid_brother Posted June 8, 2011 Share Posted June 8, 2011 More money to blow...High school kids who sold hoagies to get there, or wealthy adults on an R&R trip? How many wealthy adults go to Amsterdam for drugs? I don't think this culture exists. ---------- Post added June-8th-2011 at 04:17 PM ---------- I don't know. Look at NYC. I'm sure somebody in the late 1970's would have told you they don't think NYC will ever fully stop being NYC. From a "coolness" factor, New York in 1977 beats the hell out of New York in 2011. On the other hand, New York in 1977 was practically a dystopia. The city was literally bankrupt and dangerous. If the tradeoff is "less moody Scorsese" pictures versus a strong real estate market, a booming tourist trade, and a low crime rate...what do you choose? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Larry Posted June 8, 2011 Share Posted June 8, 2011 On the other hand' date=' New York in 1977 was practically a dystopia. The city was literally bankrupt and dangerous. If the tradeoff is "less moody Scorsese" pictures versus a strong real estate market, a booming tourist trade, and a low crime rate...what do you choose?[/quote']Problem is, this tradeoff may not exist. Cutting down the drug tourism is guaranteed to cut gown on the drug tourism. It's a theory that it will lead to a vast increase in non-drug tourism. Right now, Amsterdam is on the drug tourism marketplace, and they're getting 100% of the business from all of Europe, and quite a bit from outside Europe. They are the sole vendor for all of Europe. (For the legal drug business.) If they decide to go after the "non-drug tourist" business, suddenly they're competing against Paris, for example. How much tourism do you think they'll take away from Paris? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lombardi's_kid_brother Posted June 8, 2011 Share Posted June 8, 2011 Problem is, this tradeoff may not exist. Cutting down the drug tourism is guaranteed to cut gown on the drug tourism. It's a theory that it will lead to a vast increase in non-drug tourism. Right now, Amsterdam is on the drug tourism marketplace, and they're getting 100% of the business from all of Europe, and quite a bit from outside Europe. They are the sole vendor for all of Europe. (For the legal drug business.) If they decide to go after the "non-drug tourist" business, suddenly they're competing against Paris, for example. How much tourism do you think they'll take away from Paris? That's a fair question. And the City of Amsterdam is fighting this so maybe you are correct. My only issue is that I need someone to show me the formula that proves that drug tourism is good for a city. How much money is coming in versus how much is being spent on police, loss, and other security measures + dollars lost by tourists who don't want to deal with drug tourists. Also, where do those drug tourist dollars go? I've been to Atlantic City a dozen times. And everytime I vist, I ask the same question: "Is this city better or worse off because of these casinos?" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elkabong82 Posted June 8, 2011 Share Posted June 8, 2011 Yeah, cause the world is full of people who want to go to the Netherlands to buy illegal pot, because they can't get illegal pot at home.---------- Post added June-8th-2011 at 05:14 PM ---------- I thought somebody said they were changing the prostitution laws, too. The world is full of people wanting to visit Europe, a lot of them young people. The best stuff is in Amsterdam, not sure if that is exactly true, but it is a commonly-held belief I always heard in college, so while I can see the tourist industry taking a hit if this law is passed (again no pun intended) I can't see the young tourists completely disappearing, hence there will still be some tourist demand, and it will be up to black market to fill the void. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thelarkascend1ng Posted June 8, 2011 Share Posted June 8, 2011 The best stuff is in Amsterdam, not sure if that is exactly true, ... it's not. in general, i'm still shocked at how many people plan trips around amsterdam to simply go and try marijuana. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Brave Little Toaster Oven Posted June 9, 2011 Share Posted June 9, 2011 hahahahahahahahahahahahaha *catches breath* hahahahahahahahahahahahaha Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
No Excuses Posted June 9, 2011 Share Posted June 9, 2011 Boo I really wanted to go to Amsterdam...that's upsetting.Then again, just make friends with the locals and have them go get some? Maybe? :whoknows: Out of all the places in Europe, why would you go to Amsterdam, only to illegally obtain pot? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lombardi's_kid_brother Posted June 9, 2011 Share Posted June 9, 2011 Out of all the places in Europe, why would you go to Amsterdam, only to illegally obtain pot? I never got the Amsterdam drug thing. It's sort of a neat side effect. But it's a gorgeous city packed with incredible history. And you can generally get pot better than anything in Amsterdam from some guy named Manny who lives in a studio apartment. I get the idea that legally smoking is a novelty. But it's not like there is a huge chance of getting arrested in the US these days - as long as you white and educated like I am. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prosperity Posted June 9, 2011 Share Posted June 9, 2011 CA>Amsterdam San Francisco>>>>Amsterdam Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Sisko Posted June 9, 2011 Share Posted June 9, 2011 So... I guess they don't want any tourist dollars? Not so. They're just trying to discourage visits by welfare recipients from Florida. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SkinsHokieFan Posted June 9, 2011 Author Share Posted June 9, 2011 The best pot in Europe is in Switzerland of all places. But it certainly is a draw in Amsterdam and will certainly be a blow to getting marijuana laws changed here in the US Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prosperity Posted June 9, 2011 Share Posted June 9, 2011 That's a fair question. And the City of Amsterdam is fighting this so maybe you are correct.My only issue is that I need someone to show me the formula that proves that drug tourism is good for a city. How much money is coming in versus how much is being spent on police' date=' loss, and other security measures + dollars lost by tourists who don't want to deal with drug tourists. Also, where do those drug tourist dollars go? I've been to Atlantic City a dozen times. And everytime I vist, I ask the same question: "Is this city better or worse off because of these casinos?"[/quote'] I think Amsterdam's situation is ideal (the new law) keeping it legal for residents may keep it behind the scenes (and thus not scare off families afraid of people smoking weed) but also keep enforcement/war on drugs costs at a minimum very similar to medical marijuana in CA, actually (since you have to be a resident to obtain a script, but even without a script it's only illegal in name only for most purposes... at least in the major cities) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Koala Posted June 9, 2011 Share Posted June 9, 2011 Good for Amsterdam, its called morality.. If you wanna get high and have sex with prostitutes, do it in your own backyard, Ever occur to you the Dutch are tired of attracting all the world's johns, druggies, and yups looking for a buzz? If its such a sweet deal, why dont you pass Amsterdam-like laws in your district. Thats what I thought. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zoony Posted June 9, 2011 Share Posted June 9, 2011 can't say I blame them. Every coffee shop I went in had tables full of obnoxious American teenagers acting like, well, American Teenagers. My only questions is what's taken them so long. ---------- Post added June-9th-2011 at 12:08 AM ---------- I never got the Amsterdam drug thing. It's sort of a neat side effect. But it's a gorgeous city packed with incredible history. And you can generally get pot better than anything in Amsterdam from some guy named Manny who lives in a studio apartment. Amsterdam is a dump. Open sewage in the canals, degenerates everywhere, really bad drug problem. Can't drink the tap water Holland is beautiful though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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