Dutch government to ban tourists from drug shops

HERE.

Things have been taking a more conservative turn there lately. I have no especial interest in marijuana, but I think it’s healthy for every culture to have a place where the usual rules are suspended– a sort of pressure valve.

Las Vegas and to some extent New Orleans play that role for the USA, Bangkok for Asia, Bahrain (to a lesser extent) for the Gulf Arab countries, and Amsterdam for Europe. I think Amsterdam should stay that way. It will just make the Netherlands seem stuffy and bland if they keep following this path.