Amsterdam’s red light district starts marijuana smoking ban

City mayor Femke Halsema has promised to improve conditions for sex workers and reduce crime and excessive use of drugs and alcohol.

Signs were posted in the canal-lined neighbourhood known for its brothels, sex clubs and marijuana cafes, which attract millions of tourists a year, but are a nuisance to residents. (Representational)

Listen to this article

00:00

1x 1.5x 1.8x

A ban on smoking marijuana on the streets of Amsterdam’s red light district went into effect on Thursday, part of a push by the city’s first female mayor to clean up the area.

Signs were posted in the canal-lined neighbourhood known for its brothels, sex clubs and marijuana cafes, which attract millions of tourists a year, but are a nuisance to residents.

People caught violating the ban now risk a 100-euro ($110) fine.

Story continues below this ad

City mayor Femke Halsema has promised to improve conditions for sex workers and reduce crime and excessive use of drugs and alcohol.

Discussions are underway to move sex and drug tourism out of the city centre, but there is opposition from residents in locations that have been proposed as alternatives.

People will still be allowed to smoke inside and on the terraces of coffee shops selling marijuana and hash in the district and other parts of the city.

The personal use of small quantities of marijuana is tolerated by authorities in the Netherlands.

Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram

The RJD’s key face and Leader of the Opposition (LoP) Tejashwi Yadav, party supremo Lalu Yadav’s son, will again contest from his stronghold Raghopur.

Amid Mahagathbandhan crisis, RJD unveils list of 143, drops 36 MLAs, focuses on ‘M-Y’

Political Pulse7 hr ago

The RJD, lead player of the Mahagathbandhan, released its full list of 143 candidates for the November Bihar Assembly elections. Its key face Tejashwi Yadav will contest from Raghopur, and 41 sitting MLAs have been renominated. The party has dropped 36 sitting MLAs and fielded young leaders, signaling a bid to consolidate its core Muslim-Yadav vote base. The Congress has fielded 60 candidates.

View all shorts

Live Blog

PHOTOS