In a bid to reduce “enormous nuisance” to residents, Amsterdam will ban smoking cannabis on the streets of its red light district.
The council announced the news in a statement which revealed the measures will come into effect from mid-May.
Restaurants and bars in the area will also have to close by 2am on Fridays and Saturdays and venues will be prohibited from welcoming new customers from 1am. Brothels will also have to close at 3am.
The new measures come after years of complaints from local residents who have spoken out against the “unsafe and unlivable” conditions caused by tourists.
“Residents of the old town suffer a lot from mass tourism and alcohol and drug abuse in the streets,” the council said. “Tourists also attract street dealers who in turn cause crime and insecurity.
“Especially at night the atmosphere can get grim.
“People who are under the influence hang around for a long time. Residents cannot sleep well and the neighbourhood becomes unsafe and unlivable.”
The council have warned that they will consider banning smoking outside coffee shops if the new measures aren’t effective.
[Image: Olena Znak via Shutterstock]