Amsterdam, January 11, 2008 — Amsterdam borough De Baarsjes is extending its ‘No Toking’ prohibition — effective on and around the Mercatorplein (square) — for an unspecified period of time.
The measure, which went into effect Feb. 1, 2006, was an experimental ban on smoking marijuana on and around the neighborhood’s Mercatorplein in an effort to reduce loitering and petty crime. The area is home to many coffeeshops, where soft drugs are sold and used legally.
Reason for the extension is that the prohibition has been successful in reducing the number of disruptive loiterers in the area. An official report says that the problems have not merely been moved to areas where the prohibition is not in effect.
Popular Signs
When the measure was first introduced it attracted the attention of media outlets around the world. Closer to home, the borough soon discovered that its prohibition signs quickly became popular collectors items (Read: the signs were stolen).
The borough then decided to offer the signs for sale on its website, donating the profits to a charity.
That sale has long finished. However, you can still buy the official signs at this Dutch-language only website — at the hefty price of €106,95 + shipping.
The borough has no plans to introduce the prohibition at other locations in the neighborhood.
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