When the tourists spot coming what other businesses will feel the pain of losing their money? Let France and Belgium take care of their own problems.

By Paul Martin | September 15, 2009 12:32 PM

i am sure these towns will shortly be missing the 50,000,000 euros a year, a conservative estimate that the tourists were spending. politicians are dumber than dirt!!!!!!!!!!

By mr. haze | September 15, 2009 12:36 PM

I'm glad some people are thinking of something besides money. Anyway, my friends who come to be "drug tourists" spend hardly anything compared to my "real tourist" friends... I think this move will bring more of the later anyway in the long term (i.e. Indians and Asians)

By Expat | September 15, 2009 1:55 PM

"i am sure these towns will shortly be missing the 50,000,000 euros a year, a conservative estimate that the tourists were spending."

To beging with, the French and Flemish tourists were not spending this much money in the border towns. The ones who go to Roosendaal and Bergen op Zoom to boy drugs don't spend money on other things except perhaps chips and water.

The 50,000,000 you refer to are the actual tourists who go to the Netherlands, get hotel rooms, go shopping, do tours, and off course, spend a lot of time in the coffee shops.
These are very different types of tourists than the locals who jump the border for a quick puff.

By Darren | September 15, 2009 3:20 PM

What, Indians and Asians are scared off from soft drugs expat? Get real.

By Veldrin | September 15, 2009 3:51 PM

at the end of the day, employ mor epolice, you are only picking on coffeeshops as they are an easy target, i am happy to have bad tourists gotten rid of, but what about the decent ones who suffer, this will do more harm than good. we will soon see wont we !!!, it will just make people go further in the country now, regulate it better dont get rid of it, this isnt the answer, it will push it underground, silly religious politicians

By adhd | September 15, 2009 4:46 PM

yes, expat, crowds of japanese and chinese tourists will most surely now flock to roosendaal and bergen op zoom. that's for sure!

By ferlo | September 15, 2009 5:18 PM

If I was going to bother driving from Belgium or France to pick up some marijuana. What is from stopping me from driving to the next town with a coffeeshop?

By Sean cody | September 15, 2009 7:16 PM

I would bet money that if I were arrived in Roosendaal and Bergen op zoom tomorrow I could find cannibas for sale within 15 minutes. It will be the same way in Maastricht.

By Bobke | September 15, 2009 7:40 PM

What is all this silly talk? Are you guys all potheads? What's the interest in promoting this stupid habit? Personally, I prefer to live with a clear mind instead of wandering around with a buzz.

By KenM | September 16, 2009 12:32 AM

Again a big hype about a very versatile plant, and in ever increasing popular demand. Looks like the combination of Prime minister Jan Peter Balkenende & the EU is out to sober us all up?

If I had the leadership, one year of growing marijuana in the corn fields down south would get us all out of debt...Aha, but that will never happen, I will never become leader.)

By stevie | September 16, 2009 8:56 PM

This wonderful ID card that they are thinking about bringing in - it's a great way for Dutchies to make a little extra money! Just charge tourists a premium for you to go in and buy their wiet for them.

By Veldrin | September 17, 2009 4:22 PM

Actually many fail to realize that while it may be true drug tourist do not spend much in the local economy. But they do come and spend money on cannabis locally at the coffee shops which in turn hires local employees who get paid in cana-tourist euros. The coffee shops pay local taxes and pay suppliers. the loss 25,000 tourist per week is a significant hit in the local economy.

By richie | October 10, 2009 10:06 PM