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Amsterdam To Close Many Brothels & Marijuana Cafes

“The city says it wants to drive organized crime out of the district, and is targeting businesses that “generate criminality,” including prostitution, gambling parlors, “smart shops” that sell herbal treatments, head shops and “coffee shops” where marijuana is sold openly. “I think that the new reality will be more in line with our image as a tolerant and crazy place, rather than a free zone for criminals” said alderman Lodewijk Asscher, one of the main proponents of the plan. The city said it would also reduce the number of business it sees as related to the “decay” of the center, including peep shows, sex theaters, sex shops, mini supermarkets, massage parlors and souvenir shops.” [Link]

save the cannabis cafe! this is silly by the city council. closing some of the seedier ones and making the remaining tourist friendly would be acceptable. amsterdam would loose too much tourist bucks if they closed all of their cannabis cafes. hopefully activism and lobbying keep the pressure off the cafes.