Worries are arising about the future of the tourism industry in Amsterdam and the policy suggesting that only local residents will be able to buy the now legal substance will come into place in the countries capital from 2013.

The legalized drugs culture in The Netherlands unquestionably brings thousands of visitors to the streets of Amsterdam every year. The coalition government, of which The Netherlands always has, is clamping down on the industry to prevent drug related crime caused by tourists.

The capital which contains almost half of the countries 600 coffee shops is to see the legislation, which is already enforced in southern provinces come into play next year. The stipulations of the policy include:

• Coffee shops requiring a specific permit to sell weed.
• Only Dutch residents will be able to purchase weed.
• To purchase week one must become a member of that coffee shop.
• Illegal to sell weed to any non- Dutch resident.


The controversial plans are set to rock the city, along with the cheese, windmills and clogs the legal drug culture is a part of the Dutch DNA.