Amsterdam bans smoking weed in public spaces
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Amsterdam: Cannabis consumption is slightly less welcome in the Netherlands' capital now. Amsterdam has made its famous red-light district a smoke-free zone for cannabis users.
First-time offenders will get a warning and second-time offenders will get penalised with a 100 euro fine.
From now on, weed consumption will not be allowed in public spaces in the city centre including Dam Square, the Damrak, the Nieuwmarkt, and the Red Light District. However, cannabis coffee shops are still open.
The crackdown is over years of complaints from residents who have been facing inappropriate and erratic behaviour from tourists. The new rules apply to locals as well.
Amsterdam gets around 18 million visitors every year and many of them take advantage of the liberal policy on cannabis and the "soft drugs". This has led to several neighbourhoods becoming unpleasant and declining quality of life for residents. If the current rules do not work, authorities may consider banning smoking on terraces at coffee shops too.