Smoking Laws Could Close Dutch Cannabis Cafes June 2, 2003
News Summary
A new anti-smoking law in the Netherlands could snuff out cannabis coffee shops, the Guardian reported May 29.The workplace-smoking ban, which takes effect January 2004, does not exempt the nation's 800 cannabis cafes.
Although the coffee shops would still be allowed to sell marijuana cigarettes, patrons would have to smoke them outside. "We might as well just shut up shop," said Dick Langereis, manager of two Amsterdam coffee shops.
Customers were also unhappy with the news. "They've got to be out of their minds," said Annemiek van Royan, a regular at the Kashmir Lounge in Amsterdam. "The best part is coming here to relax. It makes my day."
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