03:28Netherlands: 'Weed has been brewing here for 40 years' - Amsterdam bans public smoking of cannabis in famous red light district
Amsterdam residents appeared to have mixed opinions on the city authorities' decision to ban the smoking of marijuana in public in the red light district starting on Thursday.
Footage recorded on Friday shows signs prohibiting both the consumption of alcohol and cannabis in the street in the De Wallen district, also known as the red light district, the city's legal sex trade venue.
"The police don't agree either. Weed has been brewing here for 40 years. Why not, what's the problem? Do you know what the problem is? Alcohol", said a resident. "(Mayor) Halsemahas lost it. Everything is prohibited, but tour boats are allowed. And cruise ships. And you can't supposedly smoke weed", he added.
Nevertheless, another resident complained about the measure not being restrictive enough. "I've lived here for 50 years. Sometimes people sit on the sidewalk and then the weed smell goes inside. I think it's a half-measure. Blowing on the terraces and in the coffee shops is allowed. I wanted the council to just ban it", he said.
The city council approved the ban in the city centre on May 10, and established a fine of 100 euros on anyone who uses marijuana in the street from May 25. The measure aims to improve the quality of life of residents in an area that attracts thousands of tourists with its popular marijuana cafes and sex clubs.
03:28Amsterdam residents appeared to have mixed opinions on the city authorities' decision to ban the smoking of marijuana in public in the red light district starting on Thursday.
Footage recorded on Friday shows signs prohibiting both the consumption of alcohol and cannabis in the street in the De Wallen district, also known as the red light district, the city's legal sex trade venue.
"The police don't agree either. Weed has been brewing here for 40 years. Why not, what's the problem? Do you know what the problem is? Alcohol", said a resident. "(Mayor) Halsemahas lost it. Everything is prohibited, but tour boats are allowed. And cruise ships. And you can't supposedly smoke weed", he added.
Nevertheless, another resident complained about the measure not being restrictive enough. "I've lived here for 50 years. Sometimes people sit on the sidewalk and then the weed smell goes inside. I think it's a half-measure. Blowing on the terraces and in the coffee shops is allowed. I wanted the council to just ban it", he said.
The city council approved the ban in the city centre on May 10, and established a fine of 100 euros on anyone who uses marijuana in the street from May 25. The measure aims to improve the quality of life of residents in an area that attracts thousands of tourists with its popular marijuana cafes and sex clubs.